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*Osimhen crowned Serie A top scorer with 26 goals
*Moffi sets goals record in France
As the European leagues come to an end, ABIODUN ADEWALE brings you the performance of Nigerian stars in various leagues, on the final day of the season
SUNDAY
BELGIUM
Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
In a dramatic twist of fate on the final day of the Belgium Jupiler Pro League Championship round, former Gombe United midfielder, Yusuf, won the title with Royal Antwerp after securing a 2-2 draw away from home against Genk at the Cegeka Arena.
Yusuf came on as a second half substitute for his 27th appearance in the league this season. He has been with Antwerp since 2021, after three years with Allsvenskan in Sweden.
Tolu Arokodare (Genk)
Lanky forward Arokodare shaked off his recent criticisms and scored for Genk on the final day of the season as Genk missed out on the Jupiler Pro League after a 2-2 draw at home against Royal Antwerp. Arokodare scored on the stroke of halftime after being fed by Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannous to give his side the lead, while Bryan Heynen scored the winner in the second half after Gyrano Kerk had levelled matters for Antwerp. He was taken off in the 78th minute for Mbwana Samatta. The striker will, however, be glad to end the season on a high as Genk secured a place in UEFA Champions League qualification round.
Victor Boniface (Royale Union SG)
Big striker Boniface was close to sealing the Belgium Jupiler Pro League with Royal Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday, but it was not to be, no thanks to their 3-1 defeat at home against Club Brugge.
Boniface assisted Simon Adingra for Union’s goal in the 46th minute, which propelled them to the top of the table, but they agonisingly conceded three goals against their visitors.
Boniface ended the season with 10 goals and eight assists in the league, with Union also earning a spot in the UEFA Europa League playoffs for next season; the competition he finished as the top scorer this season with six goals in the outgoing season.
ITALY
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
After making his 100th appearance for Napoli and bagging a national honour in Nigeria last week, Osimhen returned to action with a goal for the Serie A champions as they rounded up their season with a 2-0 win over relegated Sampdoria at the Diego Maradona Stadium. The Nigerian converted from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to take his league goals tally to 26, while Giovanni Simeone added the second later on in the game.
Already crowned the striker of the season in the Serie A, Osimhen’s 26 goals this season confirmed him as the highest goal scorer, with five goals ahead of second-place Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. He recorded 31 goals in all competitions
SPAIN
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
Chukwueze kept his place in the starting line-up as Villarreal forced a 2-2 draw at home against 10-man Atletico Madrid on the final day of La Liga season.
Villareal took the lead through Nicolas Jackson’s ninth minute goal before a brace in either half by Angel Correa gave Atleti the lead, while Jorge Pascual equalised for the Yellow Submarines in stoppage time.
Villareal sealed a Europa League spot in fifth place with 64 points.
Chuwueze had a stellar season, making 50 appearances across all competitions with 13 goals and 11 assists.
SATURDAY
BELGIUM
Gift Orban (KAA Gent)
Gent wonderkid Orban was not on target in their last game of the season but it didn’t stop the Buffalos from securing a 3-1 victory over Standard Liège at the KAA Gent Stadium. The win ensured their place in the Europa Conference League playoffs for next season, having finished the championship round with 46 points.
Orban, who was taken off in the 88th minute of the game, ended the season with 21 goals in 22 appearances since arriving from Norway in January.
FRANCE
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Simon played a vital role for Nantes in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Angers on the final day of Ligue 1. The win proved crucial for Nantes, helping them escape relegation and breathe a sigh of relief.
Terem Moffi (Nice)
Moffi continued to make waves in Ligue 1 as he found the back of the net in OGC Nice’s 3-1 win over Lyon. Moffi’s goal brought his tally to 18 for the season, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a Nigerian in a single Ligue 1 campaign. The record was previously held by Victor Ikpeba, who had 16 goals for Monaco in the 1997-1998 campaign.
ITALY
Ola Aina (Torino)
Aina made a second half appearance for Torino, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan. It was Aina’s third consecutive substitute appearance as he endured an injury-plagued season.
Okereke, Dessers (Cremonese)
David Okereke enjoyed a pleasant end to the Serie A season as relegated Cremonese clinched a convincing 2-0 win over William Troost-Ekong’s Salernitana. His compatriot, Cyril Dessers missed the game through injury.
William Troost-Ekong (Salernitana)
Despite losing 1-0 to Cremonese in their last game, Troost-Ekong will relish a successful loan return to the Serie A after helping the club secure safety. The defender scored a goal during his loan spell and has an option to buy on his contract.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Inter Milan)
For one last time in the Serie A this season, Remo Stars product, Ebenezer Akinsamiro, was listed on the bench by Inter Milan coach, Simone Inzaghi. Akinsanmiro was an unused substitute as Inter beat Torino 1-0 away from home. The youngster didn’t get to make his Serie A debut but has a Coppa Italia medal after being listed in their win over Juventus three weeks ago.