The year 2024 has undeniably been a remarkable one for Nigerian football, particularly for the players of the national team, the Super Eagles. From impressive individual performances to vital contributions for both club and country, Nigerian footballers have been making waves across Europe and beyond. However, it hasn’t been without its disappointments, as the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in February, losing to host nation Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic final.
Despite this setback, several players have continued to shine, both for their clubs and the national team. As 2024 draws to a close, here’s a look at the top 5 Super Eagles players of the year.
1. Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman is undoubtedly the standout Nigerian player of 2024. The 27-year-old forward was the driving force behind Atalanta’s success, maintaining exceptional consistency throughout the season. His crowning achievement was scoring a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen to secure their first-ever European title.
Lookman was also a key player for the Super Eagles during the Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up. He scored three goals and provided an assist during the tournament, including a brace against Cameroon in the knockout stages and a crucial goal against Angola. At the club level, Lookman has continued his stellar form, scoring 12 goals in 20 Serie A matches as Atalanta leads the league. He finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, the only African player to make the top 30.
Ademola Lookman ended the year as the new African Footballer of the Year.
2. Victor Osimhen
Despite a challenging year, Victor Osimhen has remained one of Nigeria’s most important players. While he didn’t shine as brightly as in previous seasons, the 26-year-old striker’s hard work and determination were evident during the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was involved in key moments, including winning penalties and providing assists.
Osimhen’s summer move to Galatasaray on loan from Napoli proved fruitful. In his first season with the Turkish giants, he has been in superb form, scoring 12 goals and registering 4 assists in just 15 matches across domestic and European competitions.
Osimhen also played a crucial role in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and equaled Segun Odegbami’s tally of 23 goals for the Super Eagles, positioning himself as one of the country’s all-time greats.
3. Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers in 2024. The 24-year-old was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga title win, helping the team remain unbeaten throughout the season. Boniface’s performances were pivotal in their domestic and DFB-Pokal triumphs, finishing the season with 20 goals and 9 assists in 32 appearances.
Although he is yet to score for the Super Eagles, Boniface’s work rate and efforts in helping the team qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have not gone unnoticed. With 7 goals and an assist in 13 matches so far this season, Boniface continues to be one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospects.
4. Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi has enjoyed a standout year, adapting to a new role in the Super Eagles under coach José Peseiro. Playing as a central midfielder alongside Frank Onyeka, Iwobi helped dictate play and was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations final. His versatility also shone through as he contributed to both the offensive and defensive aspects of the team.
At club level, Iwobi’s form under Marco Silva has been excellent, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists in 17 Premier League matches for Fulham. His ability to excel in different positions on the pitch has made him one of Nigeria’s most valuable players in 2024.
5. Ola Aina & Wilfred Ndidi
Two players who had outstanding seasons but for different reasons are Ola Aina and Wilfred Ndidi. Aina has enjoyed a fantastic year with both the Super Eagles and his club, Nottingham Forest. As a right wing-back in Peseiro’s 3-4-3 system, Aina was crucial to Nigeria’s defensive setup at the Africa Cup of Nations and scored his first Premier League goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Brentford.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi was pivotal in Leicester City’s successful campaign to return to the Premier League after winning the Championship. Ndidi’s role as an advanced midfielder in Enzo Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 formation saw him contribute 4 goals and 5 assists in 32 appearances. Although he missed the Africa Cup of Nations due to injury, Ndidi’s performances in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers have reaffirmed his importance to the national team.
Honorable Mentions
Several other Super Eagles players also had memorable seasons in 2024. William Troost-Ekong, who was named the MVP of the Africa Cup of Nations, continues to be a reliable presence in defense. Raphael Onyedika won the Belgian League with Club Brugge, while Stanley Nwabali impressed for both the Super Eagles and Chippa United in South Africa.
2024 has been a year of highs and lows for the Super Eagles, but these five players have undoubtedly been at the forefront of Nigeria’s footballing success. Their performances for both club and country have not only brought them individual accolades but have also helped elevate Nigerian football on the global stage. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, the Super Eagles will be looking to these stars to guide them to glory.
