Super Eagles: Five U23 Nigerians set for a breakout season

Some of the members of the current Super Eagles squad are already edging closer to their 30s, so their ability to deliver will definitely reduce.

Stars like Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Taiwo Awoniyi are already on the brink of 30. Most of the others are already 27 or 28. So, it is clear that this crop of players have maybe just one World Cup in them (if they can qualify).

As such it is important to start looking for players who can replace them in the coming years. And the 2026/27 season could be particularly important in solving this potential challenge.

Several of these players are moving into senior football, joining bigger clubs or entering campaigns in which they are expected to take on greater responsibility.

For Eric Chelle, who is also overseeing Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles preparations, the timing could hardly be better. The coach has been monitoring a wide pool of U23 players from both Europe and the NPFL.

Here, Afrik-Foot takes a loot at five of these players whose careers could take a major leap this season.

1. Zadok Yohanna – Brighton & Hove Albion

Few young Nigerian players have generated as much excitement as Zadok Yohanna in the last six months.

The 19-year-old winger earned a major move to Brighton after an impressive spell with Swedish side AIK, where he registered five goals and three assists in 18 appearances before his transfer.

More importantly, Yohanna is already on Chelle’s radar. He was included in Nigeria’s Unity Cup squad but missed the tournament due to an injury.

Now comes the biggest challenge: translating his explosive performances in Sweden to English football. If Yohanna can establish himself in Brighton’s senior team, his development could accelerate rapidly. A strong first season in England would make it difficult for Chelle to ignore him for long.

2. Uchenna Ogundu – FC Augsburg

Ogundu’s career has also moved quickly. The 20-year-old forward had already experienced senior football in Turkey before earning a move to the Bundesliga, where FC Augsburg signed him on a five-year contract.

He has therefore already taken several of the difficult steps that separate promising teenagers from genuine professional prospects.

The next one is arguably the most important, and that is regular Bundesliga football.

Ogundu needs minutes and goals. If he can become a consistent performer for Augsburg, the conversation around a future Super Eagles call-up could change very quickly.

3. Umar Abubakar – Famalicão

Umar Abubakar is another young Nigerian attacker whose next step could be significant.

The forward is among the players reportedly being considered for Chelle’s Olympic Eagles project, alongside Yohanna, Ogundu and other European-based prospects.

Portugal has also become an increasingly useful development route for Nigerian footballers. Super Eagles stars like Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, and even Chidozie Awaziem, spent their early years there.

Portuguese side Famalicão have signed Nigerian forward Umar Abubakar on a five-year deal.

Abubakar, 19, starred for Gent's B team scoring 21 goals in 27 matches for the Belgian club last season.

One to watch. pic.twitter.com/DMFNLYcNYP

— Olúwashínà Òkélèjì (@oluwashina) July 14, 2025

For Abubakar, regular first-team football will be the priority. If he can turn opportunities into goals and establish himself in Portugal, he could become one of the more interesting Nigerian attacking prospects outside the country’s established stars. The 20-year-old striker is known for his pace, strength, and good finishing ability. He is also good in aerial situations.

Last season, Abubakar featured in 22 games and scored three goals. But in fairness to him, most of his games were off the bench. This season, he will be hoping for an improvement.

4. Suleiman Sani – RB Leipzig

Suleiman Sani could be one of the most interesting names on the list. The 19-year-old winger is already part of the RB Leipzig setup, having joined from AS Trencin in a deal worth €5 million in January. He has been identified among the players in Chelle’s plans for the Olympic Eagles. That alone makes the 2026/27 campaign important.

This is the best time to break into the RB Leipzig since they have sold Yan Diomande to Real Madrid. So, Suleman who is a winger, should put in his all to become a first-team regular. Establishing himself as a regular senior squad player would represent a significant step.

Sani’s development is one worth monitoring, as his ceiling could be considerably higher if he can turn his potential into senior minutes.

5. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – Monza

Akinsanmiro already has something many players on this list are still chasing, and that is experience in European senior football. He has even played for the Super Eagles.

The midfielder’s next challenge is converting that experience into consistency.

At 21, he remains young enough to make a substantial leap, but old enough that the coming season can no longer be viewed simply as a learning curve.

Nigeria’s midfield is also an area where opportunities could eventually emerge. Ndidi and Iwobi remain important figures, but Chelle will need younger players capable of eventually taking responsibility for progressing the ball and controlling games

Over the last two seasons, Akinsanmiro has had loan spells at Sampdoria and Pisa. But those stints proved to be unsuccessful. He has now completed a permanent transfer to Monza, who just got promoted to the Italian top-flight. He has to deliver at this point, as his career could go downhill if his club gets relegated and he fails to distinguish himself.