Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen Top List Of Highest Nigerian Goal-Contributors In 2024

The reigning Africa Player Of The Year, Ademola Lookman, and the immediate past winner of the award, Victor Osimhen, ended 2024 as the Nigerian players with the highest goal contribution in the outgoing year.

Even though Victor Osimhen started his 2024 campaign in February, his form was good enough to finish the year as the second-highest Nigerian goal contributor behind Ademola Lookman.

Below are the top five highest Nigerian goals-contributors in 2024

1. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta – 22 goals and 12 assists)

Ademola Lookman has made an impressive impact this year, emerging as the top Nigerian goal contributor with 22 goals and 12 assists in 42 matches across all competitions (excluding friendlies) for Atalanta.

Following his participation in the 2023 AFCON in January and February, Lookman returned to the pitch on February 25. His year kicked off on a noteworthy note despite an initial setback, with his first goal coming against Bologna and his first assist against Cagliari shortly after.

Notably, he secured a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their first European title. Lookman’s stellar performance has rightly earned him the 2024 African Player of The Year award.

2. Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Galatasaray – 21 goals and 4 assists)

Victor Osimhen has had a dynamic year, marking his return to club football in February after the AFCON. He finished the year with 21 goals and four assists from 29 appearances.

2024 proved to be a challenging season for Osimhen, especially during the tumultuous summer transfer window, but he navigated these challenges effectively.

He started the year with a strong performance against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored for Napoli.

Following a difficult period with Napoli, he transitioned to Galatasaray, where he immediately found form, contributing three assists and scoring twice in a memorable match against Kasimpasa. His closing performance of the year featured another brace to help secure his new team’s top-league position.

3. Cyril Dessers (Rangers – 25 goals and 8 assists)

Cyril Dessers has had a highly productive year with Glasgow Rangers, accumulating 25 goals and eight assists over 54 games.

While he boasts the highest goal tally of all Nigerian strikers on this list, Lookman surpasses him in combined goals and assists. Dessers began his year with an assist against Kilmarnock, quickly following up with his first goal shortly thereafter in the Scottish Cup. His consistency and offensive contributions have made a significant impact on his club.

4. Tolu Arokodare (Genk – 20 goals and 4 assists)

Tolu Arokodare has emerged as one of the standout Nigerian forwards this year, thriving since joining Genk in January 2023.

He opened his year with a goal on February 11 and has maintained strong form ever since, leading the Belgium Pro League scoring chart with 13 goals in just 20 games. His excellent performance has played a crucial role in Genk’s success, as the team currently sits atop the league standings.

5. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen – 13 goals and 2 assists)

Despite facing injury challenges at the start of 2024, Victor Boniface has shown promise when fit, contributing 13 goals and two assists in 26 matches for Bayer Leverkusen.

After missing three months due to injury and the AFCON, Boniface made a strong comeback in April, scoring in his return match and continuing to demonstrate his goal-scoring ability until his recent thigh injury sidelined him.