In recent years, professional athletes have started to speak highly of the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Three Nigerians are currently playing in the Saudi Arabian League, according to a glance at the nationalities of the players. They, who?
Ighalo, Odion
Odion Jude Ighalo is the trio’s most visible member. In February 2021, this former Manchester United striker joined Al-Shabab, and the following year, he changed to Al Hilal. His career in the Gulf region peaked in the 2021–2022 season, when he scored 24 goals and won the SPL golden boot. He scored 12 goals in a season for each of the two clubs mentioned above, making the victory fairly spectacular. The former Super Eagles player transferred to Al-Wehda on August 15, 2023, looking for a new challenge. Ighalo scored his first goal for his new team against Al-Tai on game day 2 of the Saudi top division just six minutes after entering the game.
Stephen Nwakaeme
Anthony Nnaduzor Nwakaeme is another Nigerian that falls within this group. Last summer, this winger signed a free agency contract with Al-Fayha. In his debut SPL season of play, he was used as a center-forward. He only managed to score 9 goals in 25 outings, though. This season, the former champion of Turkey has only played for 45 minutes.
Richard Onyekuru
Henry Chukwuemeka Onyekuru is the most recent representative of “the giant of Africa” to join the Saudi top flight. On August 11, 2023, this right-footed winger joined his countryman in Al-Fayha. The former Greek and Turkish champion has played for the SPL team in 4 games so far this year. Of the 360 total minutes of the season so far, he has only played for 226 of them.
