Two Nigerian footballers looking to star in the English Championship this season

The English Championship is the second tier of football in the country, and home to two Nigerian players who are looking to star in the coming season. For one, the goal is promotion up to the Premier League, while the other will be looking to find his scoring touch after an opportunity has opened due to player departures. 

Semi Ajayi will play for West Brom in the upcoming season, and he is no stranger to Nigerian fans, with nine caps for the national team so far. He will be looking to take that further and play in the African Nations Cup, which is set to be played in January 2022, after previously being postponed twice. 

Another Championship player to look out for is Victor Adeboyejo who currently plays for Barnsley. He’s yet to play for his country but looks set for increased opportunities this season, and for that reason, he may be a player who can force himself into the team and surprise us all, even if he only takes a squad place as a backup at the African Nations. 

Ajayi and West Brom Aiming for Promotion
The Baggies are back in the Championship after a year in the Premier League, which ultimately ended in failure. There are a few teams who spend their time either at the bottom of the Premier League or top of the Championship, too good for one and not good enough for the other, and West Brom are a typical example of this.

Ajayi’s close control of the ball has earned him the midfielder moniker from West Brom fans.

Back in the Championship, promotion is the aim for West Brom and they will be hoping that Semi Ajayi can play a part. The 27-year-old has been at the club for two seasons and will be looking to make a big contribution once again by hitting the sports headlines. 

Even in the Premier League last season, Ajayi was trusted to play a regular part for his team, and it is fair to say that even more will be expected from him this season now The Baggies are down a step. With the 2022 African Nations tournament on the horizon, personally, for Ajayi, this is a chance for him to shine and show that he not only deserves to be in the squad but deserves to start. 

Bookmakers have installed West Brom amongst the favourites for promotion back up to the Premier League, which is no surprise. The start of the football season often sees some great new customer bet offers available to use, which can be used by those who think West Brom are going to bounce back at the first time of asking. 

Adeboyejo Looking to Find Scoring Touch for Barnsley
Victor Adeboyejo is yet to play for Nigeria, but a strong season in the Championship for Barnsley could well change that. Getting into the squad will not be easy, but a good start this season will give him a chance of getting there.

Victor Adeboyejo PHOTO: BARNSLEY

What will help that is the fact that Adeboyejo looks to be in line for further opportunities this season with Barnsley, given the make-up of their team? Last season, Barnsley brought in striker Daryl Dike to lead the line but this season it appears as though they will rely on the players already in their squad. 

With three players in attack, there is an opportunity for Adeboyejo to add to the two goals he scored last season. With more minutes on the pitch and a likely strong run in the first team at the start of the season, Adeboyejo will be hoping to get off to a very good start as he looks to show Barnsley he is the man for them, and potentially for Nigeria too. 

Although the starting eleven and caps may be some way off for the 23-year-old, he will know he has many years ahead of him and small steps are needed. If he is not on the radar of the national team, he will hope his play at the start of the new season can put him there and give him a very small chance of making the African Nations squad. 

Still young, Adeboyejo is potentially the future of Nigerian attacking options and while there may not be enough there to see him lead the line on a regular basis, he doesn’t look too far away from being a squad member. This season, that could well be confirmed if he can get off to a good start with Barnsley.