2024 has been a year of mixed emotions for sports lovers in Nigeria. From finishing as runners-up at the AFCON 2023, to qualifying for next year’s AFCON with one game to spare, to Ademola Lookman winning the continent’s best player award and recently qualifying for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time in six years, the year has been one with its high and lows.
However, it is clear that the country’s top players are making a significant impact on their various clubs. From the Premier League to the Serie A, and from the Belgian League to Ligue 1, Nigerian players have consistently delivered standout performances in 2024.
To recognize and appreciate the impact of these players, BoldSports has compiled a dream XI comprising the best Super Eagles players currently plying their trade in various leagues around the world.
Goalkeeper – Stanley Nwabali
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Stanley Nwabali has been a revelation in 2024. Before the AFCON, several fans in Nigeria were uncomfortable with the goalkeeping situation of the Super Eagles team. However, during the tournament, the Chippa United goalkeeper made his name by dropping several impressive performances in goal before being named Man of The Match in the semifinals against South Africa where he saved two penalties which qualified the country for the final, the first appearance in over a decade.
For his club, Nwabali has also been unstoppable as he recently dropped a monstrous performance after his father died while he was on international duty. He has also kept four clean sheets in 11 games this season.
Right back – Ola Aina
Ola Aina has had an amazing 2024 for both club and country. The right-back started every game for Nigeria at the AFCON and was key to a strong defense that kept four clean sheets during the tournament. The 28-year-old also recently revealed that he had to play with an injury during the final, displaying his unwavering commitment and determination to defend the nation.
For Nottingham Forest, Aina has been key to their dream run in the Premier League campaign this season. He has started every game in the league and has helped the club climb to 2nd on the table after 19 EPL games. He has also scored two goals this season, highlighting his ability to not only defend but also to help in attack.
Center Back – William Troost-Ekong
William Troost-Ekong has been the definition of a leader for the Super Eagles in 2024. He was unflinching in defense while also being clinical in front of goal when called upon. His goal tally at the AFCON 2023 is the current record for the highest number of goals scored by a defender in the history of AFCON. He was also crowned as the player of the tournament and he recently was recognized for his impressive performances at the continental showpiece.
Troost-Ekong has equally been impressive for Saudi Arabian club, Al-Kholood. He has started every game for them this season and is helping the club in the fight against relegation. He scored his first goal for the club against Al-Hilal, however, it was not enough to save them from defeat.
Center Back – Calvin Bassey
Calvin Bassey’s introduction as a starter for the Super Eagles was one of the turning points for the side at the AFCON. The team had drawn to Equatorial Guinea in their first game, leading to fears that they would not go far in the tournament. However, Bassey was introduced into the starting line up and in the next four games, the team kept four clean sheets while the Fulham defender got an assist against Cameroon in the round of 16.
Bassey started 25 games for Fulham last season, and this season, he has already started all but one game in the league as the team continues to push for the European spots. Recently, he dropped a wonderful performance against Chelsea to help Fulham seal their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
Left Back – Bruno Onyemaechi
Although Bruno Onyemaechi played no part in Nigeria’s AFCON run, the Boavista left-back has been a revelation in 2024. He made his first national team start of the year in a 2-1 win against Ghana and since then, he has started every game in the AFCON qualifiers where Nigeria sealed qualification with one game to spare. He is often regarded as a tireless runner, consistently dropping back to defend, and running forward to assist the attackers when the team is in possession.
Onyemaechi has also been a consistent performer for Boavista in the Portuguese league. He has started all but one game in the league, and while the team is still in the relegation zone, he recently scored an important goal against defending champions, Sporting CP.
Defensive Midfielder – Wilfred Ndidi
Due to an injury issue that kept him out for about two months, Ndidi was unable to feature for the Super Eagles at the AFCON. However, he was important as the team secured qualification for next year’s tournament which will be hosted by Morocco.
Ndidi was however a key player for Leicester City as they won the Championship and secured promotion back to the premier league after they were relegated one year earlier. The 28-year-old was deployed in a more attacking role by Enzo Maresca who urged him to always get in the box in case of cutbacks and loose balls, and this led to the Nigerian scoring 4 goals and recording 5 assists during the season.
Defensive Midfielder – Frank Onyeka
Frank Onyeka was one of the most important players for the Super Eagles at the AFCON. Deployed in the defensive midfield in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, the 26-year-old was responsible for breaking up attacks, intercepting loose balls, and protecting the defense, and he perfected this role with excellence.
While he struggled to nail down a starting spot for Brentford, Onyeka was flawless anytime he was called upon. He scored one goal and recorded two assists in the league before completing a loan move to Augsburg where he has now started 12 league games already.
Central Midfielder – Alex Iwobi
Aside from the Rwandan game where the team was rotated as Nigeria had secured qualification for next year’s AFCON, Alex Iwobi played every game for the Super Eagles in 2024. Deployed in a central midfield role, Iwobi was heavily involved in the AFCON and was a key part of the team that qualified for the next tournament in Morocco.
Marco Silva has however utilized Iwobi in a different way this season. The 28-year-old has often been deployed in the wings and is usually also responsible for tracking back and helping the fullbacks to defend against the opposing team’s winger. This has helped his game improve massively as he has recorded 5 goals and 3 assists in the league this season, with just one goal contribution shy of his best tally, with the second half of the season still to come.
Right winger – Moses Simon
Deployed in an unconventional right-wing role at the AFCON, Moses Simon found it challenging to exert himself the way he does at the left wing. However, he was still a key player for the team during the tournament, recording an assist for Lookman’s goal against Angola in the quarterfinal. He has also been pivotal in the AFCON qualifiers, recording three assists to help the Super Eagles qualify for the tournament in Morocco.
With nine goal contributions, Moses Simon has been one of the best attackers in the Ligue 1 this season. His goal contribution tally is only bettered by five players in the league and he has contributed to more than 50% of the goals scored by Nantes this season.
Left Winger – Ademola Lookman
From being named in the AFCON team of the tournament to leading Atalanta to the Coppa Italia and Europa League finals, to scoring a hattrick to lead the Italian side to glory in the Europa League, to finishing in the top 30 of the Ballon d’Or, and to being crowned as the best player in Africa, Ademola Lookman has enjoyed his best year ever since he became a professional footballer. The winger was an inspiring presence at the AFCON, scoring important goals to lead the nation to the final of the tournament.
He has also been unstoppable for Atalanta as he is already on his way to beating his goal-contribution tally for last season. He is one of the key players leading Atalanta as they seek to lift their first-ever top-flight title. He has also been impressive in the Champions League, recording three goals and one assist in the league phase. From being regarded as a flop in the Premier League, Lookman has now risen to become the best player in Africa.
Striker – Victor Osimhen
If there is any player who embodies the true definition of a striker, it is Victor Osimhen. His strength, resilience, determination, and ability to come back from every challenge are outstanding traits that has helped the Galatasaray striker stand out in 2024. The 26-year-old scored only one goal at the AFCON, however, his relentlessness to press and suffer for the team were attributes that contributed to the team’s deep run in the tournament. He also recently became the 2nd highest goal scorer in Nigeria’s history with his goal against Benin Republic, tied with Segun Odegbami with 23 goals for the national team.
Osimhen moved to Galatasaray in the summer after a long uncertain wait for his next club. However, he has adapted quickly and seamlessly to the Turkish league, recording 12 goals and four assists in all competitions and leading the defending champions to another league title while also aiming to secure the ultimate prize in the Europa League.
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