Nigeria has always been a major player in African football. The Super Eagles have been crowned continental champions three times throughout their illustrious history, with their most recent triumph coming back in 2013 when Sunday Mba’s winner downed Burkina Faso in South Africa.
Between 2010 and 2018, they qualified for three straight FIFA World Cups; however, they missed the 2022 showdown in Qatar, and they are in trouble once again as North America 2026 begins to loom.
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With just four games remaining in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, Éric Chelle’s men currently find themselves way down in fourth place in the standings.
They are six points behind table-topping South Africa, and if that wasn’t bad enough, they also face an uphill battle to secure a spot as one of the best-placed runners-up as well.
Even though the World Cup is still a year away, online sports betting sites already have the favourites to leave MetLife Stadium with the trophy next July priced up. The latest odds from the popular Bodog sports betting outlet currently make Spain the 11/2 favourites, with France, Brazil, and reigning champions Argentina just behind.
Nigeria, meanwhile, is priced at a whopping 200/1. Those odds clearly take into account the Super Eagles’ woes in qualifying, and if they were to miss the tournament for the second straight time, it would be a downright catastrophe, especially considering the quality the Super Eagles possess in their ranks.
Plenty of Nigerian stars have shone for their clubs throughout the recently concluded 2024/25 campaign. But which of them saw their market values increase the most? Well, using the highly reputable Transfermarkt, we’re about to tell you.
Ademola Lookman
Pacey winger Ademola Lookman has always been considered a tremendous talent. Spells in the Premier League with Everton and Leicester City had their high spots, but since making the move to Atlanta three years ago, his career has truly taken off. A stunning hat trick in last year’s Europa League final cost Bayer Leverkusen a famous invincible treble and made Lookman the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. In the year since, he has continued in a similar vein.
The former RB Leipzig loanee hit a career-high of 20 goals in all competitions last term, prompting his value to skyrocket by €20m. Now aged 27 and in the form of his life, a huge move could be just around the corner. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly interested in bringing Lookman back to England from Bergamo, and it remains to be seen where Lookman will ply his trade next term.
Christantus Uche
Young attacking midfielder Christantus Uche was a relative unknown 12 months ago. Fast forward to the summer of 2025, however, and he is one of the hottest prospects in the entirety of Spanish football. The 22-year-old was signed by Getafe for just €500,000 from third-tier side AD Ceuta last summer, and little was expected from the Estadio Coliseum faithful.
What a difference a year makes. Uche had a breakout season in his maiden campaign on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, scoring four goals and providing seven assists as Getafe defied expectations to comfortably avoid relegation. The advanced playmaker was in imperious form in the 3-0 victory away at Real Sociedad, scoring and assisting another. His exploits have seen him called up to the Nigeria national team, while his transfer value has shot up by €14.5m.
Tolu Arokodare
KRC Genk had a disappointing end to the 2024/25 campaign. Despite topping the Belgian Pro League throughout the regular season, they experienced a disappointing fall from grace during the championship playoffs, ultimately finishing in third, and nine points behind eventual champions Union Saint-Gilloise. They did, however, have a Nigerian player rise to the fore as one of their standout campaigners.
Striker Tolu Arokodare had been somewhat of a disappointment following his €5m move from Amiens two years ago. However, he burst into life in his second season in Belgium, netting 23 goals in all competitions to finish as Genk’s top scorer. 21 of those goals came in the league, exploits that saw the 24-year-old share the Golden Boot award with Sint-Truiden hitman Adriano Bertaccini.
After a breakout campaign, Arokodare’s transfer value has increased by €12.5m, and it won’t be long before some of Europe’s top clubs are sniffing around in a bid to secure his services.
Ola Aina
Fullback Ola Aina has long been a reliable performer. He made over 100 appearances in Serie A with Torino just a few years ago, but it has taken a while for him to get the love that he deserves. Since moving to Nottingham Forest three years ago, he has continued to impress, but last season, he took his game to another level.
The Nigerian international started all but three games last season as the Tricky Trees embarked upon an unlikely bid to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. While that challenge ultimately fell at the final hurdle, Aina will be a part of the Forest setup in the 2025/26 Premier League season after signing a new 12-month contract extension last month. As a result of his stellar displays, his transfer value has increased by €10m, while rumours of a big-money transfer continue to persist.
