{"id":1273,"date":"2026-05-31T17:14:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T14:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/nigerian-stars-shine-across-europe-as-2025-26-season-ends-on-trophy-high\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T17:14:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T14:14:37","slug":"nigerian-stars-shine-across-europe-as-2025-26-season-ends-on-trophy-high","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/nigerian-stars-shine-across-europe-as-2025-26-season-ends-on-trophy-high\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigerian Stars Shine Across Europe as 2025\/26 Season Ends on Trophy High"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With the 2025\/2026 football season drawing to a close across Europe and beyond, a host of Nigerian talents have stood out for their club achievements\u2014collecting major trophies, helping teams go deep in continental competitions, and reaching personal career landmarks along the way.<\/p>\n<h2>Nigerian stars deliver title glory in Europe<\/h2>\n<p>From Turkey to Scotland, Belgium, Portugal and Italy, Nigerian players played decisive roles as their clubs pushed for and ultimately won league honours and domestic cups, underlining the country\u2019s growing reputation for producing top-level footballers.<\/p>\n<h2>Scotland: Iheanacho helps Celtic complete the double<\/h2>\n<p>Kelechi Iheanacho, who is no longer on the books of an English Premier League club, enjoyed a standout spell in Scotland with Celtic.<\/p>\n<p>The Nigerian forward played a key part as the Scottish giants won a domestic double\u2014taking both the league title and the Scottish Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Iheanacho was among the scorers in Celtic\u2019s 3-1 triumph over Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final, coming shortly after the club had already sealed the league crown.<\/p>\n<p>After the success, the former Manchester City striker posted on his X account: \u201cGod\u2019s time is the best. Double trophy. Double blessing. Chukwu\u2019Okike Dalu.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Turkey: Osimhen and Onuachu on trophy trails<\/h2>\n<p>In Turkey, Victor Osimhen kept building on his momentum after helping Galatasaray win another Turkish S\u00fcper Lig title.<\/p>\n<p>The Nigerian striker was central to Galatasaray\u2019s impressive campaign, which included reaching the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League. The league win also meant the club secured automatic qualification for next season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>In a season reflection on Instagram, Osimhen described the run as one shaped by sacrifices, pressure and unforgettable scenes, while also expressing appreciation for the loyal backing from the club\u2019s supporters.<\/p>\n<p>Another Nigerian forward who enjoyed a memorable Turkish campaign was Paul Onuachu.<\/p>\n<p>Onuachu capped his spell by inspiring Trabzonspor to a 2-1 win over Konyaspor in the Turkish Cup final.<\/p>\n<p>Following a strong showing during the season, he opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 18th minute and later converted from the penalty spot to secure the victory.<\/p>\n<h2>Portugal, Belgium and the Czech Republic: league titles and Champions League momentum<\/h2>\n<p>Nigeria\u2019s influence was also visible in Portugal, where Super Eagles players Zaidu Sanusi and Terem Moffi celebrated league success with FC Porto.<\/p>\n<p>Porto clinched the title with two matches still to play, claiming their 31st league crown and adding to their long-running dominance in Portuguese football.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The championship marked another major achievement for Sanusi.<\/li>\n<li>Moffi celebrated his first league title with the club during his loan spell from French side Nice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Raphael Onyedika finished his campaign with silverware after helping Club Brugge win the Belgian Pro League.<\/p>\n<p>The Belgian outfit sealed the title with one match remaining in the playoffs, finishing ahead of their nearest challengers, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.<\/p>\n<p>Onyedika played a significant role throughout, making 30 league appearances and also contributing as Club Brugge progressed to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>Defender Igoh Ogbu joined the list of Nigerian title winners after helping Slavia Prague win the Czech Liga.<\/p>\n<p>Slavia wrapped up the league title with four matches left following a dominant 5-0 victory over Sigma Olomouc.<\/p>\n<p>The success added another highlight for Ogbu, who had previously won the Czech Cup with Slavia in 2023.<\/p>\n<h2>Cyprus: Uzoho\u2019s first league title with Omonia<\/h2>\n<p>For Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, the season also ended on a high note as Omonia Nicosia took the Cypriot First Division title.<\/p>\n<p>It was Uzoho\u2019s first league title since joining the club in 2021. Although he spent much of the campaign as the second-choice goalkeeper, he still made important contributions when called upon, recording three clean sheets across five league appearances.<\/p>\n<p>The league triumph also earned Omonia a place in next season\u2019s UEFA Champions League qualifiers.<\/p>\n<h2>England: Onyeka helps Coventry return to the Premier League<\/h2>\n<p>Frank Onyeka added another career milestone by helping Coventry City win the Championship and secure promotion back to the English Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>The midfielder, on loan from Brentford, played a key part throughout the season as Coventry returned to the top flight for the first time in 25 years.<\/p>\n<p>The promotion title represented Onyeka\u2019s first trophy in English football and the fourth major piece of silverware of his professional career.<\/p>\n<h2>Women\u2019s football: Nigerian stars shine in Portugal and Italy<\/h2>\n<p>Nigerian female players were also among the standout performers across Europe, claiming league success and individual recognition.<\/p>\n<p>In Portugal, Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe enjoyed a major campaign with Benfica, winning the Portuguese women\u2019s league title, the Super Cup, and the Ta\u00e7a de Portugal Feminina.<\/p>\n<p>In Italy, defender Shukurat Oladipo helped AS Roma secure the Serie A Femminile title and earned personal recognition as the league\u2019s best defender for her performances.<\/p>\n<p>Rinsola Babajide also tasted title success with AS Roma after her move from Spanish side UD Tenerife.<\/p>\n<p>Babajide contributed two goals in nine league appearances as the Italian club completed another strong campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the 2025\/2026 football season drawing to a close across Europe and beyond, a host of Nigerian talents have stood out for their club achievements\u2014collecting major trophies, helping teams go deep in continental competitions, and reaching personal career landmarks along the way. Nigerian stars deliver title glory in Europe From Turkey to Scotland, Belgium, Portugal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Nigerian Players Win Trophies as 2025\/26 Season Ends","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Nigerian stars capped the 2025\/26 season with trophy wins across Europe, standout performances, and deep runs in continental compe","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nigerian Players Win Trophies as 2025\/26 Season Ends<\/title>\n<meta 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