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As the English Premier League 2022/23 campaign nears conclusion, JOHNNY EDWARD takes a look at some of the Nigerian players who have enjoyed both good and bad fortunes this season.
THE GOOD
Taiwo Awoniyi
Last summer, Nottingham Forest signed Taiwo Awoniyi for a club record £17.5m from German side, Union Berlin and his first active season in the Premier League has been filled with some pleasant moments.
The 25-year-old striker started his career with the newly promoted side on a high note as he scored on his home debut and first start for the club.
On October 22, 2022, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 home win against former club Liverpool. Towards the end of the season, he scored five goals in three games, scoring braces against Southampton and Chelsea including the winner in a 1–0 home victory over Arsenal on May 20 that preserved the club’s Premier League status.
Awoniyi has been instrumental in keeping the Tricky Trees’ hopes alive and avoiding relegation as most of his goals have been equalisers and game winners.
The Nigeria international’s return of 10 goal involvements; nine goals and one assist ahead of their last game against Crystal Palace on Sunday (today) is impressive considering he suffered some injuries which affected his fitness.
Alex Iwobi
Last season, Iwobi was one of the heroes of Everton’s story as they staged a remarkable fight against relegation and retained their ever-present status in the Premier League.
Iwobi has been called upon again to be at his creative best and he has stepped up to answer the call. Among his teammates at Everton, the former Arsenal man is first in assists with seven, and first in chances created for the team. His seven assists this season are more than his previous three seasons at the Merseyside club combined which amounts to four.
Everton are not yet safe from relegation this season but by no fault of Iwobi, should they manage a win against Bournemouth on Sunday and results elsewhere go in their favour, the Toffees will remain ever-present in the EPL for one more season and Iwobi will be instrumental to any good fortune they will enjoy.
Frank Onyeka
After battling injuries at the beginning of the season and struggling for fitness and minutes, Onyeka has enjoyed a fairly favourable season with Brentford in the EPL.
The Nigerian midfielder has been putting in some brilliant performances to put his team in contention for a spot in the European Conference League next season.
In their match against Nottingham Forest, Onyeka came on and provided a clutch assist for a late goal by Josh Dasilva as the Bees came back to win 2-1. Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Onyeka was the engine of the Brentford midfield as he won three of his six duels, won two fouls, made two clearances, and had one tackle before he was substituted after the hour mark.
Their last match of the season is against champions Manchester City and would prove to be a tough test for the Bees.
Kelechi Iheanacho
In an otherwise dark season for Leicester City, Iheanacho has been one of the few bright sparks at the club as they are staring relegation in the face.
Having been on the bench for most of the season under former manager Brendan Rodgers, the Nigerian forward began to slowly find his feet under interim manager, Dean Smith, racking up goals in the games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his former side, Manchester City, with both games sadly ending in losses.
Iheanacho has had a hand in nine Leicester City goals this season, with five goals and four assists, in a season that has seen the Foxes fight tooth and nail to remain in the English top flight. With his feat however, Iheanacho has the third most goal contributions with Leicester in the league this season, just behind captain James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
Leicester City take on West Ham in the final game of the season and would need nothing short of a miracle to avoid relegation even if they win.
THE BAD
Wilfred Ndidi
It was once the case that Ndidi’s ball winning numbers ranked high across Europe, never mind the Premier League. Yet at times this season, even when uninjured, he has looked like a shell of himself, suddenly vulnerable in ways that he previously was not.
Ndidi went off injured in the 88th minute in Leicester City’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park and was replaced by Nampalys Mendy. It appears his season is over just like it appears Leicester City’s time in the EPL is also over for now at least.
Joe Aribo
Joe Aribo was one of the brightest stars in the Scottish league last season as he helped Glasgow Rangers to win the league title. After that, he decided to move to the most competitive league in the world, the Premier League.
Southampton paid £10m for the services of the Nigerian attacking midfielder last summer but he could not reciprocate his form at the club so far this season.
Things have gotten so bad for the attacking midfielder that he has managed to score just two goals in 1,544 minutes of football all season as Southampton got relegated from the Premier League.
Paul Onuachu
Paul Onuachu was seen as the best striker in Belgium while playing for Genk. The form of the 28-year-old Nigerian striker attracted Southampton to come for his signature as they sought to avoid relegation but he didn’t become the saviour they desired.
So far at the bottom-of-the-table club, Onuachu is yet to score in 11 Premier League games nor provide any assist despite being on the pitch for 404 minutes.
Before coming to EPL, Onuachu had already scored 16 goals in 19 games in the first half of the season so it is unfortunate and unlike the striker that he has not even scored a single goal for the Saints.
Emmanuel Dennis
Emmanuel Dennis was never expected to be a bad signing for Nottingham Forest when he joined the club from Watford for £20m last summer. Unfortunately, that is his new reality at the club.
After an above-average performance at Watford last season, Dennis has become a complete shadow of his former self as he has managed just two goals and two assists in 18 games for the Tricky Trees.