2023 was a lovely 12 months for a lot of Nigerian footballers in and out of doors the nation’s shores.
Soccernet.ng‘s Imhons Erons presents the Nigeria Staff of the Yr after intently particular person performances on the prime of the sport.
GK: Jonathan Rasheed
Whereas Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho struggled to get appearances for his or her golf equipment, Jonathan Rasheed was wonderful in Sweden.
Regardless of his membership IFK Värnamo ending fifth within the Allsvenskan, the 32-year-old shot-stopper was rated the second-best goalkeeper within the lately concluded league marketing campaign.
Rasheed will get this prime spot simply forward of Okorunleke Ojo, who helped Enyimba FC win the NPFL in 2023.
RB: Brilliant Osayi-Samuel
Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Chidozie Awaziem had been typically Nigeria’s go-to right-backs lately, however that modified in 2023 with the emergence of Osayi-Samuel.
The previous QPR defender replicated his wonderful type for Fenerbahce with the Tremendous Eagles, and he could possibly be Jose Peseiro’s first-choice on the AFCON.
CB: Igoh Ogbu
One of many Flying Eagles’ stars on the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, Ogbu took a step nearer to elite soccer when he joined Slavia Prague in January 2023.
The defender has been a prime performer within the Czech Republic League and the Europa League and will quickly turn out to be a key participant for the Tremendous Eagles.
CB: Calvin Bassey
After his nightmarish spell at Ajax, Calvin Bassey is evolving right into a prime central defender at Fulham.
Whereas Semi Ajayi, Leon Balogun, and William Troost-Ekong additionally had a 12 months to recollect in lots of elements, Bassey trumps them to this one.
The previous Glasgow Rangers star has impressed within the Premier League and has been backed by Fulham boss Marco Silva to develop right into a top-level left centre-back
LB: Bruno Onyemaechi
With Jamilu Collins out on the remedy desk for a prolonged interval and Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi niggling damage troubles, Onyemaechi stepped as much as the plate for Nigeria.
The teenager was a continuing characteristic at his Portuguese membership, Boavista, and for the Tremendous Eagles throughout the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
He ends 2023 as Nigeria’s greatest left-back.
LM: Ademola Lookman
Whereas Moses Simon and Nantes struggled in Ligue 1 all year long, Ademola Lookman and Atalanta put collectively a number of wonderful performances in Serie A.
Lookman managed solely a objective and an help in 5 appearances for Nigeria in 2023, however he was very good for Atalanta, the place he contributed 15 targets and eight assists in all competitions.
For this, he edges Simon out of this supreme squad.
CM: Alex Iwobi
Iwobi’s constant all-or-nothing show was one of many explanation why Everton prevented relegation final season.
The previous Arsenal man switched to Fulham in the summertime and has been one of many Cottagers’ most artistic forwards.
Iwobi can be Nigeria’s Mr dependable and was a continuing characteristic as Nigeria misplaced solely considered one of eight matches in 2023, successful 4 others.
CM: Wilfred Ndidi
Alhassan Yusuf gained the Professional League title with Royal Antwerp, whereas Raphael Onyedika impressed with Membership Brugge, however Wilfred Ndidi will get the nod forward of them.
Ndidi couldn’t assist Leicester Metropolis keep away from getting relegated to the Championship, however he’s fueling their cost for an prompt return to the Premier League.
Having embraced a job change within the Foxes’ midfield, the dynamic defensive midfielder is having fun with the most efficient interval of his profession with two targets and 5 assists this season.
RM: Victor Boniface
Historically a centre-forward, Boniface can play any position throughout the assault, and he was sensible for Union Saint-Gilloise earlier than switching to Bayer Leverkusen in the summertime.
The younger ahead has been the revelation of the season in Germany, successful the primary 4 Bundesliga Rookie Participant of the Month awards.
Boniface is main Bayer Leverkusen’s cost to win the league title and the Europa League, and with that, he pushes out AC Milan’s Samuel Chukweeze from this listing.
CF: Victor Osimhen
Nigeria’s first and solely €100 million striker, Victor Osimhen, was at his peak in 2023.
Osimhen scored targets at will as Napoli reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the primary time and gained the Scudetto after a 33-year wait.
Osimhen scored 29 targets for Napoli and 5 for the Tremendous Eagles in 2023 to complete as Nigeria’s highest-scoring participant.
CF: Present Orban
Any considered one of Terem Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Chuba Akpom, and Akor Adams might have taken the spot beside Osimhen. Nonetheless, none has merited it as a lot as Present Orban.
In 2023, Orban had extra hat-tricks than Erling Haaland, scored the quickest hat-trick within the historical past of European membership competitions, and fired extra membership targets (32) than every other Nigerian on the planet, together with Osimhen.
The teenager was nominated for the CAF Younger Participant of the Yr award following his sensible showings and he completes the lineup for Nigeria’s Greatest Eleven of 2023.


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