Nigerian footballers made a strong impression across the English and Spanish leagues on Sunday, May 11, delivering standout performances and achieving significant milestones.
In the Premier League, Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City featured a trio of Nigerian players in a tense clash with major implications. Ola Aina played the full match for Forest and was cautioned in the 69th minute for a rough tackle. His compatriot, Taiwo Awoniyi, came on as a substitute and nearly snatched a late winner, only to miss a golden chance and collide with the post in the process. He required medical assistance and had to be taken off, leaving Forest to finish the match with ten men, as all substitutions had been used.
The incident sparked a touchline altercation between manager Nuno EspÃrito Santo and club owner Evangelos Marinakis. Despite the drama, Forest’s draw was enough to secure European football for next season. Leicester also featured Wilfred Ndidi from the start, while defender Caleb Okoli—eligible for Nigeria—was introduced in the dying minutes.
Over in Spain, young Nigerian forward Motunrayo Ezekiel made headlines by scoring her first senior goal for Valencia CF Femenino. The 19-year-old Nigeria U20 star came off the bench in the 82nd minute and found the net five minutes later to rescue a 1-1 draw against Levante Las Planas. Though the goal was a bright moment, it wasn’t enough to save Valencia from relegation, as they’ve gathered only 22 points from 29 games.
Elsewhere in the Spanish women’s league, Rinsola Babajide found the net for UD Tenerife in a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid. Her goal marked her 10th of the season—her highest-ever tally in a single club campaign. The 26-year-old, who has previously played for clubs like Watford, Liverpool, Brighton, and Real Betis, continues to thrive in Spain.
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade also made her mark, scoring in Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 away win over Eibar. Her first-half goal laid the foundation for victory, which was later sealed by teammate Fiamma BenÃtez. It was Ajibade’s seventh goal this season, contributing to Atlético’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
Another standout Nigerian performer, Edna Imade, scored for Granada in their 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad. Despite the defeat, Imade’s goal took her season tally to 16—a personal best—and made her the top Nigerian scorer in Spain, ahead of Babajide and Gift Monday, who both have 10 goals.
Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor leads the overall scoring chart with 23 goals, followed by Imade and Alexia Putellas with 16 each. Last season, Ajibade was Nigeria’s highest scorer in the Spanish league, finishing with 10 goals—11 behind golden boot winner Caroline Graham Hansen.
