Nigeria’s Super Eagles stars have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and are refocusing on club football across Europe and Africa, with key players stepping straight back into crucial league fixtures as domestic pressures immediately resume, OLAMIDE ABE writes
Iwobi, Bassey and Chukwueze
Marco Silva will welcome back Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze as Fulham host Brighton and Hove Albion at Craven Cottage, with eleventh facing twelfth in the Premier League.
Fulham’s six-game unbeaten league run, which included a draw against Liverpool and a home win over Chelsea, ended last weekend with a narrow defeat away to Leeds United.
Chukwueze returns in strong form, having contributed five goals across his final five club appearances before AFCON, including a brace against Manchester City. He also provided two assists during Nigeria’s group stage despite limited minutes. Iwobi and Bassey were ever-present figures for Nigeria, with Bassey’s performances earning him a place in the CAF team of the tournament.
All three could be involved from the start as Fulham seek to regain momentum.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Osayi-Samuel returns to Birmingham City after an impressive AFCON showing, but his immediate reintegration may be delayed. Tomoki Iwata is expected to retain the right-back role when Blues host Stoke City at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park.
Birmingham is attempting to push back into the Championship top-six picture after a vital away win at Sheffield Wednesday, while Stoke arrives following a home defeat to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
Raphael Onyedika
Onyedika is back in Belgium as Club Brugge host Zulte Waregem in the Pro League. The midfielder is expected to slot back into a side chasing consistency in domestic competition after mixed league form.
Adams and Ejuke
Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke wasted no time returning to action for Sevilla, featuring less than 48 hours after Nigeria’s third-place match. Adams made an immediate impact, scoring twice from the bench to rescue a point on Monday against Elche.
Sevilla, currently 14th and just two points above the relegation zone, welcome Athletic Bilbao on Saturday (today), who sit tenth and eight points off the European places. Adams is tipped to start, while Ejuke is likely to be used as an impact substitute as Sevilla seeks stability.
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen returns to domestic action against Fatih Karagumruk after narrowly missing out on the AFCON golden boot, while his Champions League scoring run stalled midweek as Galatasaray drew with Atletico Madrid.
Osimhen has six league goals this season, and with Galatasaray top of the Super Lig by a single point, and Fatih Karagumruk bottom and seven points from safety, the stakes are high at the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Dele-Bashiru could be handed an opportunity as Lazio travel to Lecce amid midfield shortages. Injuries and suspension have left Maurizio Sarri short of options, while both clubs are desperate for points after poor starts to 2026.
Lazio slipped further from the top six after a heavy home defeat, while Lecce has lost four straight matches.
Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali returns to Chippa United as captain, offering a psychological boost in their South African Premier League relegation fight. Chippa have not won since mid-September and face ORBIT College, who sit just two places and four points above them.
Despite four clean sheets at AFCON, Nwabali’s impact may be limited by off-field instability and managerial issues. With his contract expiring in the summer, a move away appears increasingly likely.
Sunday
Moses Simon
Simon returns to Paris FC with immediate pressure, as the club sits 13th in Ligue 1, just five points above the relegation play-off spot. The winger is fighting to reclaim his starting role while helping steer Paris fc away from danger.
They host Angers, who arrive winless in recent weeks, as both sides look to establish breathing space at the lower end of the table.
Ademola Lookman
Lookman ended AFCON as the tournament’s most productive player, recording three goals and four assists. He continued that form in midweek, assisting in Atalanta’s Champions League outing against Athletic Bilbao.
The forward could be restored to the starting line-up as Atalanta host Parma, though competition remains fierce with Nicola Zalewski, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere also in contention.
Frank Onyeka
Onyeka returns to Brentford after Nigeria’s semi-final run. The midfielder is expected to start on the bench as the Bees host Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford are seeking a response after a derby defeat to Chelsea, while Forest arrive bruised from a European loss. Onyeka could face compatriots Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, the two having missed AFCON through injury and fitness.
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