- In a highly anticipated battle for the EaglesTracker Forward of the Year award, six exceptional players have emerged as the top contenders. The nominees include some of Nigeria's finest talents who have left an indelible mark on the football landscape this season.
Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze, Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Gent's Gift Orban, Union Saint-Gilloise's Victor Boniface, OGC Nice's Terem Moffi, and Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala are the frontrunners in this tightly contested race.
Samuel Chukwueze, Nigeria's number-one dazzler in the Spanish La Liga, has had a standout year. With 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, this has been his most productive season in Europe, solidifying his position as Nigeria's best in the Spanish top flight.
Gift Orban's meteoric rise to prominence took the football world by storm when he moved to Belgium's KAA Gent in January.
In five months, Orban showcased his incredible prowess by finding the back of the net 20 times in 21 games, establishing himself as one of the most sought-after strikers on the continent.
Meanwhile, Victor Boniface's inclusion in the list is well-deserved, given his exceptional performances for Union Saint Gilloise.
The striker exhibited an impressive scoring touch, amassing 22 goals and providing 12 assists across 55 games in all competitions. Notably, Boniface's six goals in the Europa League propelled him to become the joint-top goalscorer in the tournament, marking a historic achievement as the first Nigerian to claim this accolade.
Up next is Asisat Oshoala, who enjoyed a remarkable year with Barcelona.
Oshoala was pivotal in securing the Spanish League title and the UEFA Women's Champions League. Her contributions amounted to an impressive tally of 21 goals and three assists in Barcelona's league triumph, along with five crucial goals en route to continental glory.
In France's top flight, Terem Moffi made a significant impact, netting 18 goals. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess positioned him among the league's top ten marksmen, outshining even illustrious names such as Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Completing the shortlist is Victor Osimhen, a standout performer for Napoli with a remarkable tally of 31 goals across all competitions.
Osimhen's goals propelled his team to their first Serie A title in 33 years. Setting a new record, Osimhen's 26 league goals surpassed any African player's single-season haul in Serie A history, surpassing the legendary Samuel Eto'o.
With a total of 50 goals in Serie A, Osimhen has etched his name as the most prolific African player in the history of the Italian league.
Victor Osimhen has already been honoured as the Best Striker of the Season in Serie A, leaving fans and pundits eager to see if he will also secure the coveted EaglesTracker Striker of the Year award, further solidifying his place as Nigeria's premier forward.
