Nigerian footballers performed remarkably well with their respective clubs in 2024, with some of them even going on to win league titles and European trophies.
The Guardian reviews the top five Super Eagles goal scorers at the club level in the past year as the players continue to make Nigeria proud on the global stage.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers – 54 games/25 goals)
Cyriel Dessers played more games than his compatriots on this list, with the Nigerian striker making a total of 54 appearances across all competitions for Glasgow Rangers.
The 30-year-old had been busy from the second day of the year, providing an assist in their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in a league game before grabbing his first goal of the year 18 days later.
The striker scored in Rangers’ 4-1 win over Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup. Dessers ended 2024 with 25 goals and eight assists in 54 appearances for the Gers.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta – 43 games/22 goals)
Ademola Lookman, without a doubt, had the best year of his professional football career in 2024, contributing significantly to Atalanta’s return to the UEFA Champions League.
Lookman had a sensational year, scoring 22 goals for Atalanta and helping Nigeria secure a silver medal at the 2023 African Cup of Nations after losing the final 2-1 to host nation Ivory Coast.
His Europa League hat-trick, a historic feat, was a highlight of the year, as was his 14th-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings. The Nigerian was also crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2024.
His goals helped Atalanta win their second major trophy in their 117-year history, making him just the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final and the first since 1975.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward, despite not being an out-and-out striker, finished the year with 22 goals in 43 games across all competitions for Atalanta.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli & Galatasaray – 29 games/21 goals)
Victor Osimhen played for two clubs in 2024, representing both Napoli and Galatasaray, whom he joined on loan during the summer transfer window.
Osimhen began the year at Napoli, the defending Serie A champions from the 2022/23 season. Although the Partenopei struggled, the striker still had a strong year.
The 26-year-old made 14 appearances for Napoli in 2024, scoring nine goals and providing one assist.
After a summer loan move to Galatasaray, Osimhen regained his form, scoring 12 goals in 15 matches for the Turkish Süper Lig side.
Despite challenges such as a feud with Napoli and injury problems, Osimhen ended 2024 with 21 goals in 29 games across all competitions.
Tolu Arokodare (Genk – 43 games/20 goals)
Arguably one of the most in-form Nigerian strikers abroad, Tolu Arokodare has been on the rise since joining KRC Genk in January 2023 and appears fully settled in Belgium.
Arokodare played his first game for Genk in 2024 on January 20 and scored his first goal on February 11 during a 1-1 draw with Mechelen in a Belgian First Division A match.
He was in excellent form throughout 2024, leading the Belgian Pro League scoring chart with 13 goals in 20 games so far this season.
Genk currently tops the table with 42 points from 20 games. Arokodare finished the year with 20 goals and 12 assists in 43 games across all competitions.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen – 26 games/13 goals)
Victor Boniface would have ranked higher on this list, but injuries hampered his 2024 campaign. The Bayer Leverkusen sensation was sidelined for four months after an injury in January.
Boniface missed the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished second. He returned to competitive action in April, scoring during their 2-0 Europa League win over West Ham United.
His last goal of the year came in October, as a thigh injury sidelined him again in late November. Despite these setbacks, the 24-year-old managed 13 goals and two assists in 26 games in 2024.
