The new season is now well underway, and teams across Europe are beginning to build momentum as the early weeks of the campaign take shape.
For Nigerian football fans, there has already been plenty to celebrate, with several of the country’s biggest stars making strong starts, while others are steadily finding their feet and waiting for their campaigns to truly kick off.
With another packed weekend of football on the horizon, here, Bet9ja takes a look at 10 Nigerian stars to watch out for this weekend.
Ademola Lookman – Atletico Madrid (vs Real Madrid)
The headline fixture of the weekend sees Atletico Madrid take on Real Madrid on Sunday, and Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman could play a key role if Diego Simeone’s side are to secure the points.
Lookman scored in his last clash with Real Madrid in March 2026, and with Los Blancos looking defensively vulnerable under Jose Mourinho at the beginning of this term, the Nigerian forward could create plenty of problems for Atletico Madrid’s city rivals.
Samuel Chukwueze – AC Milan (vs Lecce)
Samuel Chukwueze has started three of AC Milan’s four Serie A fixtures and been an important player at the beginning of the season under new boss Ruben Amorim, including showing his attacking qualities with two assists in four league appearances.
Now set to face Lecce on Sunday, Chukwueze will be hoping to once again play a key role in helping AC Milan continue their unbeaten start to the Serie A season.
Alex Iwobi – Fulham (vs Manchester United)
Alex Iwobi has started all four English Premier League fixtures under Alvaro Arbeloa, and the midfielder will be expected to start and potentially play a key role in the middle of the park against Manchester United on Sunday.
Both teams have had lacklustre starts to the campaign, but with Man Utd having clear problems in the middle of the park, Iwobi could be an important man for Fulham if they are to claim the points.
Calvin Bassey – Fulham (vs Manchester United)
Iwobi’s teammate, Calvin Bassey will also have an important role to play if Fulham are to defeat Manchester United, with the Nigerian centre back set to be tasked with stopping a side that has scored seven goals in four league fixtures.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Buraspor (vs Batman Petrolspor)
Kelechi Iheanacho has enjoyed a remarkable start to life at Buraspor, scoring nine goals and registering two assists in his first seven appearances for the club, with the striker scoring at least one goal in each of those matches.
With Buraspor now set to face a Batman Petrolspor side one place behind them in the league, Iheanacho will be expected to lead the line and take Buraspor to a potentially crucial victory in this early promotion clash.
Gift Orban – Amed Sportif Faaliyetler (vs Besiktas)
Gift Orban is another striker who has enjoyed his start to life at a new club in Turkey, with the forward scoring six goals and registering one assist in five appearances for Amed Sportif Faaliyetler.
Orban will now face his toughest test at his new club, as they take on Besiktas on Sunday, and the striker is likely to play a pivotal role in any potential success the hosts may enjoy.
Rafiu Durosinmi – Genk (vs Club Brugge)
Rafiu Durosinmi has scored five goals in the opening six games of the Belgian Pro League season for Genk, and the striker will be looked upon to make the difference once again when they take on Club Brugge on Sunday.
Tolu Arokodare – Ajax (vs Excelsior)
After a difficult campaign at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tolu Arokodare has been revitalised since moving to Ajax in the summer, with the forward scoring five goals in eight appearances for his new side.
Although the striker may start on the bench against Excelsior, having recovered from a fever in recent days, Arokodare will be one to watch as he hopes to continue his scoring start to life at Ajax.
Semi Ajayi – Hull City (vs Newcastle United)
Semi Ajayi has been a key part of the Hull City side that are still yet to lose in the English Premier League, with the Tigers sitting fourth in the table with two wins and two draws from four fixtures.
Ajayi, who also got on the scoresheet in the opening game against Manchester United, has been part of a defence that has only conceded two league goals – both coming against Chelsea – and he will be hoping to record a fourth clean sheet of the campaign against Newcastle United.
Raphael Onyedika – Eintracht Frankfurt (vs Freiburg)
Finally, Raphael Onyedika has started three Bundesliga matches for Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of this season, and the midfielder will be hoping to help control the middle of the park when they take on high-flying Freiburg on Saturday.
