Nigerian footballers face tough choices in transfers

Kelechi Iheanacho has decided to join Bursaspor, a team in Turkey's second division. This move has sparked a debate in Nigerian football about whether players from the Super Eagles are taking steps back in their careers. Iheanacho, once seen as one of Africa’s top talents, has traded the excitement of playing in England and Scotland for a lower profile club in Turkey. The 29-year-old signed a three-year deal with Bursaspor after leaving Celtic, despite interest from bigger leagues.

This transfer has caught attention because it happened just weeks after he helped Celtic win the Scottish Premier League and Cup titles. Many fans are expressing concern about whether Nigeria's best players are sliding down the European football ladder instead of moving up.

In the past, Nigerian players often used leagues in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and sometimes Spain as stepping stones to bigger teams in Europe. Players like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Ademola Lookman followed this path before moving to larger clubs or establishing themselves as top players in Europe.

Today, the situation seems different. Instead of moving to stronger competitions, many Nigerian internationals are shifting sideways or even downward in their careers. This trend raises concerns about the shrinking options available for many established Nigerian footballers.

Gift Orban is about to complete a loan move from TSG Hoffenheim in Germany to Amedspor, a newly promoted team in Turkey's Süper Lig. There is an option to make this loan permanent. While Turkey is still a competitive place to play, this transfer is seen as a step back. Just a few years ago, Orban was a hot prospect after his time at Gent, which took him to the Bundesliga. However, his inconsistent time in Germany has lowered his status, and moving to a newly promoted Turkish team raises doubts about his career progress.

Akor Adams also surprised many fans by moving from Sevilla to Venezia, a newly promoted Serie A club. Adams had a solid season in La Liga, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists to help Sevilla avoid relegation. Fans thought he would either stay at Sevilla or attract interest from a more established European team. Instead, he chose Venezia, a club just back in the Italian top division. Many see this as a disappointing move instead of the progress they expected.

Joe Aribo is at another crossroads after leaving Southampton as a free agent when his contract ended. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Leicester City but struggled to get playing time as the team was relegated to League One. Now 30, Aribo has been linked with a return to Rangers, where he had his best career moments, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

Typically, moving from Scotland to England is seen as a step up. But going back to Scotland after several years in England raises doubts about whether Aribo is returning to revive his career rather than moving to a better position. For many Nigerian fans, this looks like another Super Eagles player settling for less instead of seeking a bigger challenge.

Mikeaway Kicks, a content creator, shared his frustration: “The level of signings Super Eagles players are making this summer is making me ashamed of being a Nigerian or supporting Super Eagles. I just have to be very raw because as a young player, you cannot be very promising and drop yet again to a team that is also struggling.

“Look at what cost Tolu Akorodare last season; he went from Club Brugge to Wolves, a struggling team that went down to the Championship and now he is going to leave for Fiorentina.

“Iheanacho, a 29-year-old, is leaving Celtic who won the league last season for Turkey. He is not even going to Galatasaray or Fenerbahce, Besiktas or Trabsonzpor but going to the second division in Turkey. Akor Adams from Sevilla to Venezia.

“Is that an upgrade or a downgrade?”

Nathan Roland stated, “Mikel still remains Nigeria’s greatest player.” Qiblah Zaman added, “They are playing football to survive because they know what they went through before now.” In pidgin, Maduka Austin said, “Na you dey rate them, even them no rate themselves.”

Gamo commented, “He (Iheanacho) is playing for money at this point and it is a wise move for him. He’s past his best and even lucky that he still gets contract offers.” Derikis wrote on TikTok, “They are doing what works for them and it is ok. Only that the Super Eagles coach has to create a standard for inviting players.”