Nigerians have, through history, left their mark on the global football stage, and the history of European club competitions is no exception.
From the UEFA Champions League to the Europa League and defunct tournaments, players from the most populous African nation have made their presence felt.
They’ve not only represented clubs across Europe but also consistently delivered on the big stage, setting records and scoring goals that endure in memory.
Here’s a look at the 10 highest-scoring Nigerians in UEFA club competitions, ranked by their contributions across various tournaments and in descending order (highest to lowest).
Obafemi Martins – 23 goals in 64 appearances
The Lagos-born forward, known for his explosive speed and trademark somersault celebrations, leads the pack.
Martins scored goals for Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, and Levante across competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and their qualifiers.
Victor Osimhen – 19 goals in 32 appearances
Widely regarded as one of the finest strikers in world football, Osimhen continues to excel on Europe’s grandest stages.
The 25-year-old has featured in the UEFA Champions League with Napoli and Lille OSC, as well as the Europa League with the French club, solidifying his reputation as a marquee talent.
Now representing Galatasaray in the Europa League, the reigning CAF Player of the Year remains a formidable force in front of goal.
His impressive scoring record includes crucial strikes against top European sides such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Ajax.
Victor Boniface – 19 goals in 35 appearances
The Super Eagles striker has swiftly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most prolific talents in European football.
Boniface showcased his goal-scoring prowess in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers and main tournament, claiming the Golden Boot in the 2022/23 season with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Now at 24, he has continued his impressive form, marking his debut UEFA Champions League campaign with Bayer Leverkusen by getting on the scoresheet.
Notably, the UEFA Europa Conference League remains the only European competition he has featured in without finding the net.
Cyriel Dessers – 18 goals in 44 appearances
A proven goal scorer, Dessers has firmly established his credentials on the European stage.
He claimed the Golden Boot in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, finishing as the top scorer of the 2021/22 campaign ahead of Roma’s Tammy Abraham.
The Nigerian forward has represented clubs such as Rangers, Feyenoord, Genk, and Utrecht, yet he is still awaiting his debut in the UEFA Champions League proper, having only featured in the qualifying rounds.
Shola Ameobi – 15 goals in 51 appearances
Often referred to as a latecomer for Nigeria, Ameobi was a regular for Newcastle United in Europe.
He featured in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup and UEFA Cup (later rebranded as the Europa League) and even played in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Despite not being the most prolific forward, his longevity in European competitions earned him a place among Nigeria’s best.
Victor Ikpeba – 15 goals in 40 appearances
Known as the “Prince of Monaco,” Victor Ikpeba was a household name in the 1990s.
The 1997 African Footballer of the Year scored in multiple competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Cup.
His stints with RFC Liège, AS Monaco, and Borussia Dortmund were highlighted by his knack for finding the back of the net on Europe’s biggest stages.
Jay-Jay Okocha – 13 goals in 52 appearances
A magician with the ball, Okocha dazzled fans in Europe with his skill and flair.
The former Super Eagles captain played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, PSG, and Bolton Wanderers, scoring in competitions such as the (now defunct) UEFA Intertoto Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
Despite his reputation for assists and creativity, Okocha’s 13 goals underline his ability to deliver when it mattered the most.
Ayegbeni Yakubu – 13 goals in 42 appearances
Yakubu’s name often evokes memories of his infamous miss at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but his achievements in Europe cannot be overlooked.
The striker represented clubs like Maccabi Haifa, Middlesbrough, and Everton, scoring in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and their qualifiers.
His clinical finishing made him a reliable option for his teams in Europe.
Michael Obiku – 12 goals in 26 appearances
Boasting the best goal-per-game ratio on this list (0.46), Michael Obiku was a prolific scorer in his time.
The former Super Eagles forward represented Feyenoord, APOEL, and Anorthosis Famagusta, netting in competitions like the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Paul Onuachu – 12 goals in 42 appearances
Before his move to Southampton, Onuachu was a consistent goal scorer for Midtjylland and Genk in Europe.
He found the net in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifiers as well as the main tournaments.
Known for his towering height and aerial prowess, Onuachu was a constant threat to defenders.
