The 2022/23 season is well underway across Europe, and several Nigerian forwards are attracting attention with their goal‑scoring exploits. Three Nigerians currently top the scoring charts in different leagues, and Sports Extra examines the players who could finish the season as the leading Nigerian striker in Europe.
**Paul Onuachu – 16 goals (Genk, Southampton)**
After a slow start to the campaign, the Owerri‑born striker, who netted 23 goals last season, added another 16 in 20 Belgian matches for Genk. He appeared poised for another spectacular season before moving to English side Southampton. Onuachu has made only one appearance for the Saints, coming off the bench against Brentford in a 3‑0 defeat, and is eager to find the net in England and retain his lead in the Nigerian scorers’ chart. The 28‑year‑old left Genk having scored 85 goals in 134 appearances.
**Chuba Akpom – 16 goals (Middlesbrough)**
Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom increased his tally to 16 on Saturday as Middlesbrough comfortably beat Blackpool. He scored once in each half, tying Onuachu for first place among Nigerian goal‑scorers, albeit in 23 games—two more than the Southampton forward. The 27‑year‑old also leads the division’s scoring charts, and manager Michael Carrick praised his performance, highlighting a “terrific” individual goal and a team goal that involved goalkeeper Zack Steffen, a long‑range pass, and a finish by Akpom and Riley McGree.
**Victor Osimhen – 14 goals (Napoli)**
In his third season in Italy, Osimhen tops the Serie A scoring charts and ranks among the leading Nigerian scorers in Europe with 14 goals in 16 league games. He has scored five times in his last four matches, including a brace in a 5‑1 victory over Juventus, helping Napoli secure crucial wins against Sampdoria, Juventus, Salernitana and Roma in their title chase. The 24‑year‑old striker also contributed three assists and is linked with a possible summer move to Manchester United, with a valuation exceeding £100 million.
**Folarin Balogun – 14 goals (Stade de Reims)**
Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun is enjoying a remarkable loan spell at Reims. The 21‑year‑old Nigerian‑eligible player leapt to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts after a hat‑trick against Lorient, bringing his tally to 14 league goals in 20 games.
**Ademola Lookman – 12 goals (Atalanta)**
Ademola Lookman ranks fifth among Nigerian scorers overall but is the second‑highest scorer in Serie A, behind only Osimhen, with 12 goals from 20 matches for Atalanta. The winger also recorded three assists and is the only non‑striker on this list.
**Terem Moffi – 12 goals (Lorient, Nice)**
Terem Moffi is the sixth‑highest‑scoring Nigerian in Europe this season. He began the campaign with Ligue 1 side Lorient before moving to Nice in the winter, amassing 12 goals in 18 league matches. His tally ties him for third place in Ligue 1 alongside Jonathan David, Neymar Jr., and Wissam Ben Yedder, with Kylian Mbappé in second (13) and Balogun leading with 14. Moffi averages a goal every 106 minutes, having scored braces against Clermont Foot and Lens and strikes against Lyon and Auxerre.
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