PulseSports30: Boniface out of top 10 as Remo Stars' Olamilekan get 11th spot

PulseSports30 makes a return for the fourth year, recognising the 30 best-performing Nigerian footballers from the 2024/2025 football season.

A non-discriminatory annual ranking, PulseSports30 considers footballers of Nigerian heritage who performed excellently either in Africa, Asia, Europe, North/South America, or Oceania.

Every day, we will reveal a batch of five players who made our list until we get to number one. 

We continue this year's ranking by revealing players ranked between 15-11

25-year-old Nigeria defender Igoh Ogbu played a crucial role in Slavia Prague’s dominant 2024/2025 campaign in the Czech Republic.

A fantastic defensive prospect, Ogbu helped his team clinch their 22nd Czech league title with solid performances at the back as they conceded just 18 goals in the league. 

Since joining the club in the 2022/2023 season, Ogbu has become a defensive mainstay, earning praise for his leadership and consistency.

His impressive campaign at Prague also earned him a deserved spot in the Nigeria Super Eagles as one of the new faces in Eric Chelle's team, with the young defender featuring in the Unity Cup and subsequent friendly against Russia.

In his first season in one of Europe’s big-five leagues, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru played commendably in Serie A for Lazio, showcasing decent-to-good offensive contributions for the capital club. The 24-year-old featured in 20 Serie A appearances, making 12 starts and registering three goals and one assist in the Italian top flight.

What stood out for Dele-Bashiru was his competence at carrying the ball into dangerous areas in the opponents’ defensive third, while he was always an outlet at receiving possession upfield before attempting to make things happen.

Although the raw numbers may not completely capture the former Sheffield Wednesday player’s season, being in the 97th percentile for non-penalty goals, 86th percentile for successful take-ons, 88th percentile for progressive carries, and 96th percentile for progressive passes received (all per 90) was admirable in his maiden year in one of the top-five divisions in Europe. 

There is no doubt that Boniface is one of Nigeria’s finest footballers, but the 2024-25 season must be one to forget for the Bayer Leverkusen man. After a stellar campaign in 2023, the 24-year-old was expected to take things to the next level. 

However, injuries and the incredible form of Patrick Schick meant he found himself in and out of Leverkusen’s starting XI. There was also the failed move to Al Nassr in January, as well as several poor outings for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. 

He finished the season with 11 goals in 27 games, not enough to make the top 10. 

Onyeka, on loan from Brentford, was a consistent presence in Augsburg’s lineup last season, featuring in 31 Bundesliga matches and starting in 24 of them.

The defensive midfielder was the team's engine room, boasting an 84.5% pass completion rate, 54 tackles won, and 30 interceptions.

He was crucial to Augsburg's 12th-place finish and DFB-Pokal quarter-final run, thanks to his ability to break up play and regain possession.

Adedayo Olamilekan played a key role in Remo Stars' historic Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title win — their first ever league triumph. 

He scored seven goals and provided one assist, including the decisive goal in their 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, which clinched the title.

Remo Stars finished the season with 71 points, seven ahead of Rivers United, and Adedayo Olamilekan was one of their standout players.

Click here to see players ranked from 16-20