The weekend of May 2–3, 2026 offered a vivid snapshot of where Nigeria’s footballers abroad currently stand — some forcing their way into international conversations, others caught on the wrong side of heavy scorelines at critical points in the season.
**WINNERS**
Nathan Tella produced arguably the most complete individual display of any Nigerian abroad across the weekend. The Super Eagles winger contributed a goal and an assist as Bayer Leverkusen defeated RB Leipzig in a pivotal Bundesliga fixture. His performance drew widespread attention for its combination of pace, decision-making, and composure under pressure. Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season to end a 120-year wait, remain in contention at the top of German football, and Tella’s contribution in high-stakes moments strengthens his standing in the squad.
At Udinese, two Super Eagles produced a dominant afternoon against Torino. Kingsley Ehizibue opened the scoring and was named Player of the Match as Udinese won at home, with Maduka Okoye — a fellow Nigerian — manning the goal behind him. Okoye’s ninth clean sheet of the Serie A season is a figure that underlines his consistent form throughout the campaign. For Ehizibue, who is reportedly a target for the Super Eagles national setup, the performance provided a timely and compelling audition.
Femi Azeez wrote his name into Millwall folklore on the final day of the Championship regular season. The 24-year-old winger scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Oxford United, securing the Lions’ place in the Championship playoffs. The opener — struck with his weaker right foot — was described as a thunderous effort. The brace arrived just two days after Azeez had committed his international future to Nigeria. Across the season, he finished with 11 goals and 7 assists, a return that makes his case for a senior Super Eagles call-up increasingly difficult to dismiss.
**LOSERS**
Victor Osimhen’s weekend began promisingly. The Galatasaray striker set up his side’s opener against Samsunspor in what appeared to be the foundation for a comfortable result. Instead, Samsunspor turned the match around emphatically, winning 4-1. The defeat represents a significant blow to Galatasaray’s Super Lig title ambitions at a critical stage of the season. Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, contributed positively but could not prevent one of the most damaging results of the Turkish club’s campaign.
At the Emirates, Arsenal’s title credentials were on full display as they dismantled Fulham 3-0. Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze both started for Fulham but were unable to stem the tide as the Gunners operated at a level that overpowered their opponents as a collective unit. Fulham were outclassed rather than individually responsible for the result, though both Nigerians were part of a side that conceded three without reply to one of the division’s leading teams.
In Ligue 1, the occasion carried an added layer of significance for Tochukwu Nnadi. Marseille were beaten 3-0 away at Nantes, with fellow Super Eagle Chidozie Awaziem producing a commanding defensive performance to help the hosts to victory. The result was damaging enough in league terms, but losing heavily to a fellow Nigerian international added a particular sting to the outcome.
**OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS**
Beyond the headline performances, the weekend carried significant milestone moments for several other Nigerian players across Europe. Zaidu Sanusi and Terem Moffi were crowned champions of Portugal with FC Porto. Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo won the Italian Serie A Femminile title with AS Roma. Francis Uzoho claimed the Cypriot First Division title with AC Omonia. Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score a winner for Celtic against Hibernian, keeping pressure on in the Scottish Premiership title race. Zadok Yohanna scored a diving header equaliser for AIK against Elfsborg in Sweden, while Igoh Ogbu opened the scoring for Slavia Praha in their away win against Slovan Liberec in the Czech top flight, with David Moses and Samuel Isife also featuring.
