The 2023/24 European football season is here, starting with a clash between two champions—Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, and Burnley, the top team from the Championship—kicking off the eagerly awaited campaign.
As the saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and for many Premier League teams, the quest to achieve their goals begins on Friday when English referee Craig Pawson signals the start at Turf Moor.
With around 500 registered players across 20 teams set to display their talents over 38 match weeks, Afrosport highlights the Nigerians who will be competing in the Premier League this season.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest): The Super Eagles forward was Nottingham Forest’s key player in attack last season, with his absence often hindering their progress throughout the 2022–23 campaign.
Although the 25-year-old may miss his team’s opener against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday, he was Forest’s top scorer in the Premier League last season, netting ten goals in 27 games.
Awoniyi found his best form at a crucial time for Forest last season, scoring six goals in four games toward the end of the season, including the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, helping Forest stay in the top flight.
A fan favorite at the City Ground, the former Union Berlin striker will be essential to Forest’s success this season as they aim to solidify their status as a Premier League mainstay.
Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest): Dennis, one of three Nigerians at Nottingham Forest, had limited playing time in the Premier League last season, starting just six games and making 19 appearances overall.
However, the former Watford forward showed flashes of his attacking prowess and class in his limited minutes, contributing two goals and two assists to Forest’s survival campaign. The 25-year-old will be looking to secure a regular starting spot for the two-time European champions.
Alex Iwobi (Everton): When Iwobi completed his permanent move to Everton in 2019, many expected his prominence among top African stars in Europe to diminish.
However, the 27-year-old persevered, finding a renewed form that played a crucial role in helping Everton avoid relegation in consecutive seasons. The former Arsenal midfielder has become a fan favorite at Goodison Park and is highly respected by his teammates, who voted him their Player of the Season.
Iwobi began last season in excellent form, contributing two goals and seven assists in the Premier League—second only to one other Everton player in terms of goal involvements. With a more settled squad and a manager like Sean Dyche at the helm, Iwobi is poised for an even better season.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham): Bassey joined Fulham this summer on a four-year deal worth around €21 million, giving the 23-year-old a fresh start after a difficult stint in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax.
The versatile defender, who can play as both a center-back and a left-back, will be crucial in providing Marco Silva’s side with much-needed stability and flexibility, especially in light of their defensive struggles last season, where they conceded 53 goals, the joint-tenth highest in the Premier League.
Frank Onyeka (Brentford): Onyeka made 21 appearances for Brentford in the league last season, but only managed to start eight games, three fewer than in the 2021–22 season.
The 25-year-old combative midfielder has been a key part of Thomas Frank’s side since joining in the summer of 2021, contributing two assists last season.
As Brentford looks to continue their successful run in the Premier League and adjust to life without Ivan Toney, Onyeka will be instrumental in solidifying their midfield and making them difficult to break down.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest): Aina returns to the Premier League after his recent spell at Fulham, signing a one-year deal with Forest, where he will join Awoniyi and Dennis as the Nigerians at the City Ground.
At just 26, Aina brings valuable experience, having played for four other clubs across three different leagues. This experience will be vital as Forest aims to improve their defensive record and secure their place in the Premier League.
Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town): Luton Town returns to Premier League football after 31 years, and no player was more instrumental in their fairytale promotion than Anglo-Nigerian Elijah Adebayo.
The 25-year-old, who joined the team in 2021, scored in the first leg of their Championship Playoff semi-final against Sunderland and assisted Jordan Clark’s goal in the final against Coventry City.
Adebayo has scored 32 goals and provided 11 assists for the Hatters in nearly 100 games, including eight goals and five assists in 45 games last season. If Luton is to defy the odds and remain in the top flight, his goalscoring and creativity will be crucial.
Gabriel Osho (Luton Town): Another Nigerian descendant in Luton’s ranks, Osho, who can play as both a defender and a midfielder, fought his way into the starting lineup after two loan spells since joining the Hatters in 2020.
The 24-year-old scored three goals in 30 games for Luton, including the opener in their 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the second leg of the Championship Playoffs.
