They will help the league — AFCON 2013 winner backs Osimhen, Ndidi, Onuachu to be transformative signings

The Turkish Super Lig has had an influx of high-profile Nigerian players this summer, and former Super Eagles star Emmanuel Emenike, who also played in the division, tipped his compatriots to raise the profile of the league. 

The 2013 AFCON winner, who played for Karabukspor and Fenerbahce in Turkey, had a recent interview with Turkish sports media outlet Mackolik, in which he discussed the transfers of Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Paul Onuachu. 

Emenike spoke highly of his countrymen and emphasised that they had the quality to improve the league. "Osimhen is a fantastic player; his energy is very high," he said about Galatasaray’s record signing. “His arrival at a Turkish team will be a huge contribution to the league. He’s a great player, and I wish him the very best at Galatasaray.”

Emenike admitted to not having followed Onuachu’s career as closely, but has seen enough to determine that the Trabzonspor man, who has already gotten off the mark this season, will prove an impactful signing. 

“Paul Onuachu is also a fantastic player. I’ve watched a few of his matches. He’s a good footballer, but I haven’t followed his games very closely. However, in the few matches I watched, I saw that he’s a good striker, and I like him.”

Of the three players Emenike discussed, Ndidi is the only one yet to play in Turkey, as Osimhen and Onuachu have had loan stints in the Super Lig. The 38-year-old former Las Palmas striker believes that Ndidi can help his new club, Besiktas, and consequently raise the stakes in the division. 

“Ndidi’s transfer to Türkiye will also be beneficial for the league because he is both a fantastic player and a very humble person. I send my best wishes to all Nigerian footballers in the Super Lig for this season.”