The next generation: young Nigerians breaking through at home and abroad, heritage talents Nigeria still hopes to win, and the stars of the Falconets and Flamingos, with weekly updates.
10Nigerian-born
4heritage talents
5young women
13new Eagles call-ups
Photo: Paté kroute, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Advertisement
Week of 21 to 29 September 2026 · checked 30 September 2026
This week: the new generation
Two debut goals for Nigeria, a Falconets run at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, and 13 first-time Super Eagles call-ups for the friendly against Russia.
Rising Nigerian stars, September 2026
Date
Player or team
What happened
25 Sep
George Ilenikhena (Al-Ittihad), aged 20
Scored on his Super Eagles debut, 2-1 v Madagascar
25 Sep
Moses Usor (LASK)
Scored the winner minutes after coming on for his debut
25 Sep
Ethan Nwaneri (Dortmund, on loan from Arsenal)
His free-kick led to a goal as England U-21 beat Kazakhstan 4-2; he is still eligible for Nigeria
17 Sep
Falconets (Nigeria women’s U-20)
Beat England 3-0 in the last 16 of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland
20 Sep
Falconets
Lost 0-1 to Colombia in the quarter-final to a 92nd-minute goal
6 Oct (coming)
Russia v Nigeria friendly
13 first-time call-ups, including Akpe Victory, Mubarak Suleiman, Umar Abubakar and Chibby Nwoko
17 Oct (coming)
Flamingos (women’s U-17)
U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco begins; watch Queen Joseph
Next update: after the Russia friendly (6 October) and the first club weekend back (10 and 11 October 2026). Big performances also appear in our African Sports News.
Checked 30 September 2026
Nigeria’s rising stars
Aged 23 or under, born in Nigeria or already playing for Nigeria.
1Photo: Paté kroute, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
George Ilenikhena
Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) · Striker
Born 16 Aug 2006, Lagos · Nigeria, 1 cap, 1 goal
Nigerian roots:born in Lagos; moved to France aged 3.
20Age
1Goal on debut
Checked 30 September 2026
Scored against Barcelona in the Champions League for Antwerp and for Monaco, then on his Nigeria debut.
2
CN
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Chibuike Nwaiwu
Trabzonspor · Centre-back
Born 23 Jul 2003, Port Harcourt · Nigeria, 3 caps
Nigerian roots:born in Port Harcourt.
23Age
3Nigeria caps
Checked 30 September 2026
From Enyimba to Wolfsberg to Trabzonspor in three years.
3
TN
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Tochukwu Nnadi
Marseille · Midfielder
Born 30 Jun 2003, Ihiagwa, Imo State · Nigeria, 5 caps
Nigerian roots:born in Imo State.
23Age
5Nigeria caps
Checked 30 September 2026
Won bronze at AFCON 2025.
4Photo: Rakeck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Akpe Victory
FC Basel · Centre-back
Born 19 Jul 2006, Abuja · first call-up Sept 2026
Nigerian roots:born in Abuja.
20Age
1.95 mHeight
Checked 30 September 2026
Went from Lithuania to Hungary to Basel, where he signed to 2030.
5
MS
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Mubarak Suleiman
Slavia Prague · Attacking midfielder
Born 13 Apr 2007 · first call-up
Nigerian roots: Came through the Right2Win academy, Abuja.
19Age
2026Czech champion
Checked 30 September 2026
Scored eight minutes into his Slavia debut.
6
UA
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Umar Abubakar
Famalicão (Portugal) · Striker
Born 15 Feb 2006, Kano · first call-up
Nigerian roots:born in Kano.
21Goals for Jong Gent
3Liga goals
Checked 30 September 2026
Has already scored against Benfica.
7
UO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Uchenna Ogundu
FC Augsburg · Striker
Born 12 May 2006
Nigerian roots: Nigerian-born.
20Age
Checked 30 September 2026
Joined Augsburg from Alanyaspor in February 2026; compared with Osimhen.
8
DD
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Daniel Daga
Molde (Norway) · Midfielder
Born 10 Jan 2007 · Nigeria U-20
Nigerian roots: Nigerian-born.
10U-20 caps
2031Contract until
Checked 30 September 2026
Played at the 2025 U-20 AFCON and World Cup.
9
KA
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Kparobo Arierhi
Sogndal (loan, Norway) · Striker
Born 11 Jan 2007 · Nigeria U-20
Nigerian roots: Nigerian-born.
2Goals in WAFU B final
Checked 30 September 2026
Alex Iwobi has called him “the next Osimhen”.
10
KI
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Kenneth Igboke
Rangers International (NPFL) · Defender
Born 27 Jul 2005, Nsukka · Nigeria, 2 caps
Nigerian roots:born in Nsukka, Enugu State.
2025-26NPFL champion
Checked 30 September 2026
A home-based player in the Super Eagles squad.
Advertisement
Nigerian roots
Heritage talents Nigeria is watching
Eligible for Nigeria through their parents; some have already chosen other countries at youth level.
1Photo: Totya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ethan Nwaneri
Borussia Dortmund (loan from Arsenal) · Midfielder
Born 21 Mar 2007, Islington, London · England U-21
Nigerian roots:Igbo father; still eligible for Nigeria.
15Premier League debut age
10Arsenal goals
Checked 30 September 2026
The youngest player in Premier League history.
2Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antonio Nusa
RB Leipzig · Winger · Norway
Born 17 Apr 2005, Oslo
Nigerian roots: Nigerian father.
27Norway caps
8Norway goals
Checked 30 September 2026
Played at the 2026 World Cup for Norway.
3
CO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Chido Obi
Willem II (loan from Man United) · Striker
Born 29 Nov 2007, Denmark
Nigerian roots: Nigerian parents; eligible for Nigeria.
18Age
Checked 30 September 2026
Manchester United’s youngest ever Premier League starter.
4Photo: Timmy96, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool · Winger · England
Born 29 Aug 2008, London
Nigerian roots: Nigerian and Guadeloupean descent.
18Age
Checked 30 September 2026
Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Falconets and Flamingos
Rising stars of women’s football
1
JA
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Janet Akekoromowe
Benfica · Forward
Born in Ese-Odo, Ondo State
Nigerian roots:born in Ondo State.
13NWFL goals, MVP season
Checked 30 September 2026
Scored against England at the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup, then joined Benfica.
2
CO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
Forward
Born 7 Aug 2005, Njaba, Imo State
Nigerian roots:born in Imo State.
2U-20 World Cups
Checked 30 September 2026
Scored on her NWSL debut for San Diego Wave.
3
QJ
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Queen Joseph
Flamingos · Forward
Aged about 16
Nigerian roots: Nigerian.
3Goals at 2025 U-17 WWC
Checked 30 September 2026
Hat-trick against Benin to send the Flamingos to the 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup.
4
WO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Winner Onajite David
Falconets · Forward
Nigeria U-20
Nigerian roots: Nigerian.
3Goals, 2026 U-20 WWC
Checked 30 September 2026
Hat-trick against New Caledonia in Poland.
5
FO
Photo coming soon: we only use free-licence or credited photos
Fatimah Oloko
Abia Angels · Goalkeeper
Aged about 18
Nigerian roots: Nigerian.
2025-26NWFL goalkeeper of the season
Checked 30 September 2026
The only home-based player in the WAFCON 2026 squad.
George Ilenikhena, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tochukwu Nnadi, Akpe Victory and Mubarak Suleiman lead the new generation, with heritage players like Ethan Nwaneri, Chido Obi and Rio Ngumoha still watched closely.
Can Ethan Nwaneri still play for Nigeria?
Yes. He has played for England’s youth teams but has no senior England cap, so he is still eligible for Nigeria (checked 30 September 2026).
Did the Golden Eaglets play at the 2025 U-17 World Cup?
No. Nigeria lost to Ghana in the WAFU B semi-final in 2025 and missed the tournament, their second U-17 World Cup in a row without them.
How did the Falconets do at the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup?
They beat England 3-0 in the last 16 and lost 1-0 to Colombia in the quarter-final to a 92nd-minute goal.
