The Super Eagles of Nigeria have established themselves as one of the powerhouses of African football over the years.
Despite not featuring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Jose Peseiro’s men are ranked as the sixth-best team on the continent and the second-best in West Africa, behind only African champions Senegal.
Having already booked their place for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Super Eagles will be looking to wrap up their qualifying campaign on a high when they welcome Sao Tome and Principe to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
A squad has been selected for Nigeria’s final Group A encounter, with a host of the Super Eagles players currently plying their trade in Europe.
OFFICIAL: Nigeria's squad list for AFCON qualifiers vs. Sao Tome has been announced. pic.twitter.com/dQDT0vlRMd
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 3, 2023
Here, we take a look at the top 10 players in the Super Eagles squad according to their ratings in EA Sports FC 24.
Victor Osimhen – Super Eagles' highest-ranked player
A very familiar face at the top. Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has proven himself to be one of Europe’s most-feared strikers off the back of an impressive campaign for Napoli, where his 26 league goals led the Partnopei to their first league title in 33 years.
First African to be highest goal scorer and Serie A winner. Victor Osimhen!🇳🇬🔥 pic.twitter.com/7SJ1dvLma6
— SMALLIE (@the_smallie) August 27, 2023
The 24-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down this season, with three goals from as many matches this term, and it is no surprise that his base rating in EA Sports FC 24 has gone up to 85 with a maximum potential rating of 88.
Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi endured a disappointing campaign with Leicester City last time out on a personal and collective basis as he lost his place in the starting lineup while also suffering relegation from the Premier League.
However, the midfielder is still a very decent player by all standards and was courted by Nottingham Forest in the recently concluded summer transfer window.
Ndidi’s current rating in EA Sports FC 24 stands at 81, with a potential of 82.
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze enjoyed his best season with Villarreal in the 2022–23 campaign, as he racked up an impressive 13 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
This earned the Super Eagles winger a move to Serie A giants AC Milan, where he will be part of a new-look attacking unit for the Rossoneri alongside Rafael Leao, Noah Okafor and Christian Pulisic.
Chukwueze’s exploits over the last 12 months see his EA Sports FC 24 rating stand at 79, albeit with a potential of 85.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho and Ndidi were both teammates in the Leicester side that finished 18th in the Premier League last time out.
Despite starting just 11 matches in the aforementioned campaign, Iheanacho scored five times and laid on as many assists.
Unsurprisingly, the 26-year-old has been reinstated to the starting XI by new manager Enzo Maresca, under whom Iheanacho has supplied one goal and two assists in his six games so far.
Iheanacho is currently a 77-rated player by EA Sports FC 24.
Taiwo Awoniyi
A man currently in the form of his life. Taiwo Awoniyi has carried on his hot scoring streak from the back end of last season to score three times in his opening four league games so far.
While he saw his run of finding the back of the net in seven straight Premier League games end against Chelsea, Awoniyi provided the pass of the game to assist Anthony Elanga’s game-winner at Stamford Bridge.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been on rampage in the Premier League 💥
10 G/A in EIGHT consecutive games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ynm33pWxvg
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 2, 2023
His EA Sports FC 24 rating is at 76, but based on the evidence we have seen of late, that figure could very well go up in the near future.
Joe Aribo
Having helped Rangers get to two cup finals during the 2021–22 season, Aribo made the switch to the top tier of English football the following summer as he signed for Southampton.
He needed just two games to open his account for the Saints, but things have since gone downhill.
Aribo only managed to score once in his subsequent 19 league outings, and it was no surprise that Southampton finished rock bottom in the league table.
Life in the Championship has also not been fair to Aribo, as he has yet to start a single league game this season.
Nonetheless, he still boasts a decent EA Sports FC rating of 74 with a potential of 77.
Tyronne Ebuehi
After spending back-to-back seasons on loan at two different clubs, Ebuehi was permanently signed by Empoli on a free transfer in 2022.
The 27-year-old racked up six direct goal contributions for his new employers in his debut campaign and played a crucial role as Empoli avoided being drawn into a relegation scrap.
However, Ebuehi and Empoli have endured a torrid start to their Serie A campaign this time around, following three straight defeats without finding the back of the net.
Ebuehi’s EA Sports FC 24 rating stands at 75.
Moses Simon
Since joining Ligue 1 outfit Nantes on a permanent deal back in 2020, Moses Simon’s career has taken an upward trajectory ever since.
The Super Eagles winger has played his way into contention for a place in the Super Eagles starting XI and won the 2022 Coupe de France with Nantes.
The 28-year-old recently helped set up his side’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Olympique Marseille on Friday.
His EA Sports FC 24 rating is currently at an all-time high of 75.
Calvin Bassey
Bassey and Aribo were in the same Rangers team that lost the 2022 Europa League final, and both players were on the move the next summer.
Unlike Aribo, Bassey opted for a move to the Eredivisie as he signed for Dutch giants Ajax. However, the defender is currently plying his trade with Fulham in the Premier League, having completed a move from Ajax back in July.
Life in west London has not gone as planned for Bassey, who was sent off on his full debut for Fulham against Arsenal two Saturdays ago.
While his EA Sports FC 24 rating is only 74, Bassey has been tipped for a very bright Super Eagles future with a maximum potential rating of 82.
Victor Boniface
Victor “Okoh” Boniface is the only person on this list who has yet to make an appearance for the Super Eagles, having only just received his maiden call-up.
The 22-year-old has started the season in red-hot form for Bayer Leverkusen, with five goals and two assists in only four games.
🇳🇬💥 Victor Boniface (22) continues to take this season by storm — he registered another 2 goals + 1 assist today.
He cost Leverkusen just €20.5m from Union SG. Nigeria have another exciting forward on their books! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/bfK9DcGTIA
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 2, 2023
There is no denying that Boniface is well on course to have a splendid career at club level and for the Super Eagles, as his potential rating of 81 suggests, although his base rating is currently at 74.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago