It’s another week of the Game Changers of the Week series, spotlighting African players making an impact in Europe’s major leagues. From goals to assists and standout attacking performances, we’ve got you covered on the continent’s finest.
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) – Fulham 2-1 Tottenham
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi maintained his impressive run with another influential performance, helping his side claim a 2-1 win against Tottenham at home. The Nigerian midfielder struck a well-placed shot from distance that crashed off the bottom-left post before finding the net in the 34th minute, doubling Fulham’s advantage at Craven Cottage. What made the goal particularly special was the unconventional technique employed. Rather than using his laces, Iwobi struck the ball with the inside of his right foot, keeping his body upright and generating remarkable shot power. He also won all six of his duels, completing all five of his crosses and completing his two attempted dribbles. The victory moved Fulham up to ninth place, and for Iwobi, it’s his fourth league goal.
Chibuike Nwaiwu (Nigeria) – Trabzonspor 3-1 Karagumruk
The 22-year-old centre-back had never scored twice in a professional match before Friday night, but he chose the perfect occasion to make history with a second-half brace. Both goals came from identical positions at the far post, with Ozan Tufan’s corner kicks flicked on at the near post before Nwaiwu finished with composed diving headers in the 50th and 55th minutes. The defensive prowess he’d shown earlier—including a crucial goal-saving block that kept Trabzonspor level—combined with his attacking contribution, made for a truly complete display from a player just two months into his Turkish adventure.
Paul Onuachu (Nigeria) – Trabzonspor 3-1 Karagumruk
The towering striker opened the scoring in the 20th minute, meeting Ozan Tufan’s perfectly weighted cross with a powerful header into the centre of the goal. The goal extended Onuachu’s lead at the top of the league’s scoring chart to two goals, taking his tally to 18 for the season. His contribution didn’t end there; three minutes into the second half, Onuachu’s flick header from another corner found compatriot Nwaiwu at the far post for Trabzonspor’s third goal.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Galatasaray 3-1 Alanyaspor
Victor Osimhen scored and assisted as Galatasaray claimed all three points against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig. Level at 1-1 close to the hour mark, the Nigerian striker attempted an audacious bicycle kick that turned into the perfect assist to set up Lucas Torreira for the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Osimhen then sealed the victory in the 83rd minute when he capitalised on a goalkeeper error, going around Paulo Victor to finish into an empty net. The goal was Osimhen’s 10th in the Super Lig this season, taking his overall tally to 10 goals and four assists in just 16 league appearances. The victory moved Galatasaray to 58 points, five clear of second-placed Fenerbahçe.
That’s it for this week’s Game Changers. See you next week.
