Top 7: Ranking Nigeria’s best performers at the weekend as Osimhen settles for 2nd spot

Some of Nigeria’s finest footballers were in action for their clubs across the globe with dozens delivering eye-catching displays, Afrik-Foot reports.

Top 7 Nigerian performers at the weekend RANKED

7. Nathan Tella | Bayer Leverkusen

Tella continued his efficiency off the flank by securing the match-winning assist in a heated 2-1 away Rhine Derby victory against FC Köln.

Leverkuson continue their relentless pursuit of the top spots, keeping the pressure on the Bundesliga leaders through crucial points in gritty derby fixtures.

6. Calvin Bassey | Fulham

The versatile defender formed an absolute brick wall at the back, recording crucial clearances and successful tackles to preserve a vital clean sheet in a tight 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Silencing a highly dangerous Villa attack consolidates Fulham’s push for a mid-table finish or a late European spot surge in the Premier League.

5. Tochukwu Nnadi | Olympique de Marseille

🚨🇳🇬 Tochukwu Nnadi with his first goal involvement for Marseille. 🅰️

He assists Hojbjerg against Nice. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bvrLWk5H2b

— GNB OFFICIAL (@GHNaijaBallers) April 26, 2026

Making his very first start under head coach Habib Beye, the €6 million February signing played 80 minutes, created two chances, and lofted a brilliant cross to assist Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s headed opener in a 1-1 draw with OGC Nice.

While Marseille failed to hold onto the lead, Nnadi’s brilliant 7.1-rated display proved that he is ready to break through a highly congested midfield rotation.

4. Umar Sadiq | Valencia

🚨🇪🇸 | GOAL: UMAR SADIQ DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR VALENCIA!

Valencia 2-0 Girona

pic.twitter.com/Jo6Q0PDBT1

— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) April 25, 2026

The 29-year-old striker scored in back-to-back La Liga games, meeting a lofted cross from José Gayà to power home a clinical 59th-minute header in a 2-1 win over Girona.

The hard-fought win at the Mestalla moves Valencia to 11th on the table, pushing them five points clear of the relegation zone with five games left and officially securing much-needed breathing space.

3. Chiamaka Nnadozie | Brighton WFC

Despite conceding early, Africa’s finest goalkeeper kept Brighton in the fight by making four crucial saves (all from inside the box) and orchestrating play with 15 recoveries to fuel a massive 3-2 comeback victory.

Nnadozie’s heroic defiance directly delayed Manchester City’s WSL title celebrations, proving why her summer move has turned Brighton into absolute giant-killers.

2. Victor Osimhen | Galatasaray

See Victor Osimhen New style of Goal🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/wTJZVkACes

— ÁKOTÈ (@BarcAkotee) April 26, 2026

Osimhen fired the Turkish giants ahead in a high-stakes 3-0 Intercontinental Derby triumph away against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe.

This massive derby victory extends Galatasaray’s momentum at the top of the Süper Lig table, heavily dealing a psychological blow to their closest championship rivals.

1. Esther Okoronkwo | AFC Toronto

👑🇳🇬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵 – 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑺𝑯𝑬 𝑵𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹 𝑳𝑬𝑭𝑻…
Esther Okoronkwo in her first game of the season, in her first game as the new number "9" of her club, AFC Toronto, scored a brilliant goal and gave a beautiful free-kick assist as well to initiate and… pic.twitter.com/zvuIkovz4e

— Banky G 🎤⚽ (@BankyGee_) April 25, 2026

Esther Okoronkwo delivered a Player of the Match performance by scoring the winner and registering an assist as AFC Toronto pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Vancouver Rise.

Now wearing the No. 9 shirt, the Nigeria Super Falcons attacker played a direct role in all three goals, threading a crisp pass to set up the equaliser before calmly firing home a low shot for the 72nd-minute winner.

Her masterclass secured all three points for Toronto in the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) season opener against the defending champions, establishing Toronto as early title contenders.