Super Eagles Best Players of the 2025/26 Season

After another great season in Europe, Nigerian players showed their skills on big football stages. From fighting for titles to battling relegation, they gave memorable performances. This earned them spots in PUNCH Sports Extra’s Super Eagles Team of the Season for 2025/26, set up in a 4-4-2 formation.

GOALKEEPER, Maduka Okoye (Udinese)

Maduka Okoye had a fantastic 2025/26 season. He proved himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable goalkeepers and strengthened his claim to be Nigeria’s No. 1. The Udinese goalkeeper kept 10 clean sheets in 29 league matches. He became the first Nigerian goalkeeper to reach double figures in a top-five European league since Vincent Enyeama in 2014/15. His standout performances, including a strong showing in a 3-0 win over AC Milan, earned him multiple Serie A Team of the Week selections and a nomination for Goalkeeper of the Year. With a 70.9 percent save rate and less than one goal conceded per game, Okoye was key in helping Udinese stay safe in the league.

He also got a Player of the Month nomination for May after keeping clean sheets against Torino and Cagliari.

LEFT-BACK, Zaidu Sanusi (Porto)

Zaidu Sanusi continued to show he is one of Africa’s most reliable left-backs. He played an important part in Porto winning the Portuguese Primeira Liga title in 2025/26. This was the second league winner’s medal for him at the club.

The 28-year-old made 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists while playing over 1,600 minutes. His strong form has attracted interest from Serie A, with Atalanta reportedly eyeing him as a summer target as they look to rebuild their squad.

CENTRE-BACK, Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor)

Few Nigerian players had a rise as impressive as Chibuike Nwaiwu in 2025/26. Less than a year after playing for Enyimba in the NPFL, the 22-year-old ended the season as a Turkish Cup winner, Super Eagles international, and one of Europe’s most wanted young defenders. A strong presence in Trabzonspor’s defense, Nwaiwu combined his aerial skills with calmness on the ball. He was key in their Turkish Cup win while attracting interest from clubs like Newcastle United, Fulham, and Bayer Leverkusen.

CENTRE-BACK, Calvin Bassey (Fulham)

Calvin Bassey has been a rock in the Super Eagles’ defense all season, likely the most reliable Nigerian defender in Europe. The Fulham centre-back combines strong physical presence with technical skill, making him tough for opposing strikers.

His aerial ability, speed, and game reading have helped him perform well at Craven Cottage. He has made over 100 appearances since joining from Ajax in 2023. Bassey naturally leads, organizing his teammates and scoring important goals from set-pieces when needed.

RIGHT-BACK, Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn)

Ryan Alebiosu had a breakout 2025/26 season that got him his first Super Eagles call-up and a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This made him one of the most exciting full-backs in the Championship.

Playing mainly as a right wing-back for Blackburn Rovers, the 22-year-old appeared in 39 matches, scoring one goal and providing five assists. He was the fourth-highest rated Nigerian player in the division with a WhoScored rating of 6.76. His attacking flair, dribbling skills, and ability to deliver crosses made him one of the most dynamic players in his position this season. His best performance came against Millwall, where he had an assist and completed four successful dribbles, earning a rating of 7.85.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER, Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas)

Wilfred Ndidi remains the heartbeat of the Super Eagles midfield. His importance shows most when he is not on the pitch. The captain provides discipline, energy, and leadership to the team, setting the pace and offering defensive cover for his teammates.

Since Chelle became coach, Nigeria has gone 19 matches unbeaten. Ndidi’s role in that success cannot be overlooked. At club level, the Besiktas FC midfielder has continued to show his quality.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER, Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

Alex Iwobi had one of the best seasons of his career, solidifying his role as one of the Super Eagles’ key players. He performed consistently for Fulham in the Premier League throughout the season.

The 30-year-old has been a model of reliability for Fulham, contributing both defensively and offensively. His experience and calmness in big matches make him hard to drop from the team. He scored four goals and got three assists, placing him among the top midfielders for contributions this season.

LEFT WING, Akor Adams (Sevilla)

Since joining the Super Eagles in October 2025, Akor Adams has proven he belongs among Nigeria’s best attackers, even if he is just outside the top two striker spots in Europe.

The Sevilla forward scored five goals and provided two assists in 13 appearances for the national team this season. He built a strong partnership with Victor Osimhen during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Quick, technically skilled, and good in the air, Adams adds a different threat to the Super Eagles’ attack, capable of playing wide but also dangerous when drifting into central positions.

For Sevilla, he netted 10 goals and provided three assists to help them avoid relegation worries.

RIGHT WING, Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Atletico)

Ademola Lookman was one of the most dangerous Nigerian attacking players in Europe for much of the season. His performances for Atalanta early in the season were exciting, continuing from his hat-trick in the Europa League final. He scored 55 goals during his time in Bergamo.

His move to Atlético Madrid in January for about €35 million showed how much recognition he had gained. However, adapting to Diego Simeone’s tough style was not easy. He still contributed four La Liga goals, along with goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League after the transfer.

Lookman combined for 14 goals and four assists across all competitions during the 2025/26 season for Atalanta and Atlético Madrid.

CENTRE-FORWARD, Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)

Paul Onuachu had one of the best scoring seasons of his career, netting 26 goals and two assists in 36 appearances for Trabzonspor. The tall striker was crucial in the team’s Turkish Cup win, scoring both goals in a 2-1 final win over Konyaspor, a stunning volley for the first and a calm penalty for the second.

At 31, Onuachu remains a physical force, tough to defend against, combining his aerial threat with quick footwork and smart passing.

CENTRE-FORWARD, Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Victor Osimhen’s 2025/26 season was another showcase of his skills as one of the best strikers in world football. The Super Eagles captain scored 15 league goals and got five assists in 22 Super Lig matches as Galatasaray held onto the Turkish league title. He also added seven goals and three assists in the Champions League as the club reached the round of 16.

His season faced a setback with a fractured right forearm during a Champions League game against Liverpool, but this did not take away from his strong overall performance. He remains Nigeria’s most dangerous attacking player.

Honourable mentions: Other Super Eagles stars also had great seasons and missed out on the starting XI. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo impressed in the Championship with Wrexham before his senior Nigeria debut where he kept two clean sheets. Defenders Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Emmanuel Fernandez also excelled for club and country. Fernandez was one of the breakout stars after winning Rangers’ Player of the Year award. In midfield, Raphael Onyedika established himself as one of Nigeria’s best midfielders, helping Club Brugge to domestic success. Frank Onyeka played a key role in Coventry City’s promotion. Up front, Kelechi Iheanacho contributed key goals and experience as Celtic completed a domestic double in Scotland.