Top 10 Highest Scoring Nigerians in the UEFA Champions League
Nigerian footballers have made a huge impact in the UEFA Champions League over the years, scoring goals on Europe’s biggest stage. From legendary strikers to talented forwards, Nigerian players have consistently showcased their skills in the competition. Here are the top 10 highest-scoring Nigerians in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
10. Michael Obiku – 4 Goals
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Michael Obiku, a pioneer in Nigerian football, scored four goals in the Champions League. He made his mark while playing for Greek club Anorthosis, where he scored three goals, and added one more while at Feyenoord. Obiku also made history as the first Nigerian to play in Japan’s J1 League.
9. Anthony Nwakaeme – 4 Goals
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Anthony Nwakaeme scored four goals in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Hapoel Beer-Sheva. The 35-year-old forward now plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey, continuing to show his skill at the top level.
8. Emmanuel Dennis – 5 Goals
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Emmanuel Dennis, now at Nottingham Forest, scored five goals in the Champions League during his time at Club Brugge. His performances in Belgium helped him stand out as a player who could perform on the big stage.
7. Kanu Nwankwo – 5 Goals
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Kanu Nwankwo, a legend of Nigerian football, scored five goals in the Champions League. Four of these goals came while playing for Arsenal, and one was scored during his time at Ajax. Kanu was also part of Ajax’s 1995 Champions League-winning team and played a key role at Arsenal.
6. Brown Ideye – 5 Goals
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Brown Ideye, now playing for Enyimba in the Nigerian league, scored five Champions League goals, four of them while at Dynamo Kyiv. He also played for Olympiacos, where he continued to show his ability to score in big moments.
5. Ahmed Musa – 6 Goals
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Ahmed Musa scored six goals in the Champions League, all while playing for CSKA Moscow. Known for his speed and accuracy, Musa made a big impact in Europe before returning to play in the Nigerian league with Kano Pillars.
4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 7 Goals
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Yakubu Aiyegbeni, a natural goal-scorer, scored seven Champions League goals during his time at Maccabi Haifa in Israel. His consistent performances made him an important player in their Champions League campaigns.
3. Victor Ikpeba – 7 Goals
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Victor Ikpeba, also known as the “Prince of Monaco,” scored seven goals for AS Monaco in the Champions League. His time in Monaco is remembered for his skill and contributions, helping to establish him as one of Nigeria’s finest footballers.
2. Victor Osimhen – 9 Goals
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At just 25, Victor Osimhen is already making history. Playing for Napoli, Osimhen has scored nine goals in the Champions League, including impressive performances against top European teams. He scored two of these goals while at Lille and has since added seven more at Napoli.
1. Obafemi Martins – 10 Goals
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Obafemi Martins, also known as “Oba Goal,” is the highest-scoring Nigerian in the Champions League with 10 goals. He played for top clubs like Inter Milan, Wolfsburg, and Rubin Kazan, scoring all 10 of his Champions League goals while at Inter Milan. Martins’ ability to score against some of Europe’s best defences helped solidify his legendary status.
These Nigerian footballers have not only showcased their individual talents but have also represented Nigeria with pride on one of the biggest stages in world football, the UEFA Champions League.
