Recap: Victor Osimhen, NPFL topscorer, 12 Super Eagles stars listed in PulseSports30 ranking

PulseSports30 makes a return for a second year, recognizing the 30 best-performing Nigerian footballers from the 2022/23 football season.

At the end of every football season, Pulse Sports releases an annual ranking of the 30 best Nigerian footballers from across the globe.

This year, 'PulseSports30' features the best-performing players around the world, players of Nigerian heritage who dazzled during the 2022/23 football season.

As a global ranking, PulseSports30 is non-discriminatory and is not restricted to footballers playing in the world's major leagues.

PulseSports30 for 2023

56 performers were shortlisted for this year's final ranking, with 30, chosen after amassing the most points in a cumulative merit polling.

The final ranking of 30 were be made public between Saturday, July 1 and Monday, July 3.

1. Victor Osimhen

Osimhen broke record after record in a successful season for Napoli, cementing his place as...READ MORE ABOUT OSIMHEN.

2. Terem Moffi

Moffi had his best season yet, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, with 18 coming in Ligue 1 for two...READ MORE ABOUT MOFFI.

3. Samuel Chukuweze

Chukwueze reminded fans of his quality in the 2022/23 season, scoring 13 goals and recording...READ MORE ABOUT CHUKWUEZE.

4. Ademola Lookman

Lookman had a debut season to remember in Serie A after joining Atalanta following a successful...READ MORE ABOUT LOOKMAN.

5. Gift Orban

Since moving to Gent in January, Orban has made the footballing world sit up and take notice. The 20-year-old had...READ MORE ABOUT ORBAN.

6. Chuba Akpom

Akpom had an outstanding season for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, finally fulfilling...READ MORE ABOUT AKPOM.

7. Taiwo Awoniyi

After an injury-riddled start to life at Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi returned to his best form to almost single-handedly...READ MORE ABOUT AWONIYI.

8. Victor Boniface

Boniface had a remarkable season for Belgian side Royale Union SG, finishing the season with...READ MORE ABOUT BONIFACE.

9. Alex Iwobi

Everton had a near-disastrous campaign by all accounts, but one man stood head and shoulders above the rest. Iwobi was...READ MORE ABOUT IWOBI.

10. Odion Ighalo

Ighalo played a crucial role as Al-Hilal reached the Asian Champions League final. Although...READ MORE ABOUT IGHALO.

11. Bright Osayi-Samuel

The 25-year-old defender was impressive for Fenerbahce in the Turkey Super Lig last season, helping them...READ MORE ABOUT OSAYI-SAMUEL.

12. Nathan Tella

Tella spent the season on loan at Burnley from Southampton, and his 17 league goals – the most for the Clarets and...READ MORE ABOUT TELLA.

13. Raphael Onyedika

In only his first season, Onyedika was a vital cog in a Club Brugge team that punched significantly above its...READ MORE ABOUT ONYEDIKA.

14. Peter Olayinka

Although his 11 goals could not help them to the league title, Olayinka was immense in...READ MORE ABOUT OLAYINKA.

15. Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was deservedly named Leicester City's player of the season, one of the few who rose...READ MORE ABOUT IHEANACHO.

16. Kevin Akpoguma

At Hoffenheim, Akpoguma had himself a successful campaign as he frequently featured in...READ MORE ABOUT AKPOGUMA.

17. Josh Maja

Josh was one of Bordeaux's most important players last season...READ MORE ABOUT MAJA.

18. Bruno Onyemaechi

Onyemaechi was solid in defence for Boavista last season, an ever-present for the Portuguese side as they finished...READ MORE ABOUT ONYEMAECHI.

19. Tyronne Ebuehi

The Empoli defender can be said to have had one of his...READ MORE ABOUT EBUEHI.

20. David Okereke

Okereke was one of Cremonese’s key players last season, finishing as...READ MORE ABOUT OKEREKE.

21. Chukwuemeka Obioma

The Enyimba man was at his very best as the nine-time Nigerian champions returned to the top of the tree in the NPFL under...READ MORE ABOUT OBIOMA.

22. Zaidu Sanusi

Sanusi might have missed out on another league success with FC Porto last season, but the fullback got...READ MORE ABOUT SANUSI.

23. Alhassan Yusuf

It was a strong season for the Nigerian youngster who played an important role as his club...READ MORE ABOUT YUSUF.

24. Adebayo Adeleye

The Hapoel Jerusalem pair of safe hands has continued to grow between the sticks for his club in Israel. Adeleye featured...READ MORE ABOUT ADELEYE.

25. Elijah Adebayo

While the giant forward failed to reach the levels that saw him finish as high as 24th in...READ MORE ABOUT ADEBAYO.

26. Cyriel Dessers

After finishing as the top scorer in the maiden edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, Cyriel...READ MORE ABOUT DESSERS.

27. Igho Ogbu

Ogbu, along with compatriot Peter Olayinka, was a major driving force behind the Slavists coming within a hair’s breadth...READ MORE ABOUT OGBU. 

28. Ibrahim Olawoyin

With seven goals, eight assists, and two penalties earned in the 2022/23 campaign, Olawoyin was...READ MORE ABOUT OLAWOYIN.

29. Ovie Ejeheri

Ejeheri spent the first half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Chelmsford in the English National League South, but...READ MORE ABOUT EJEHERI.

30. Henry Onyekuru

Onyekuru’s attempt to rediscover his form at Turkish side Adana Demirspor on loan from Monaco proved...READ MORE ABOUT ONYEKURU.

PulseSports30: When next?

As is custom, Pulse Sports will announce the next list of 30 best Nigerian footballers at the end of the 2023/24 football season.

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