By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has emerged as Africa’s most valuable striker, with compatriot Victor Boniface ranking as the second most valuable forward from the continent, according to the latest market valuations on Transfermarkt.
Osimhen, who plays for Italian side Napoli, is currently valued at €75m, making him the joint-fifth most valuable striker globally alongside Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, Sweden’s Alexander Isak, and Germany’s Kai Havertz.
The 25-year-old Nigerian has justified his high valuation this season with impressive performances, netting nine goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.
The 25-year-old has been particularly impressive in the Super Lig, contributing six goals and four assists in eight matches, while adding three goals and three assists in four Europa League appearances.
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland tops the global list with a staggering market value of €200m, followed by French star Kylian Mbappé at €180m, while Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez and England’s Harry Kane complete the top four with valuations of €110m and €100m respectively.
Boniface, who has been in scintillating form for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, is valued at €45m, making him the 11th most valuable centre-forward globally.
Boniface is tied with Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, Lille’s Jonathan David and three others.The 23-year-old has built on his first season in Germany into the new campaign, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 15 appearances this season.
Six of his goals have come in 10 Bundesliga appearances, with additional strikes in the Champions League and DFL-Supercup.
The Nigerian duo are the only African strikers in the top 20 most valuable forwards, with Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson (€40m), Egypt’s Omar Marmoush (€40m) and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy (€40m) being the next most valuable African strikers on the list.
The trio round up the African representation in the top 30 as they are all jointly ranked 29th.
The valuations highlight the growing influence of African strikers in European football, with Nigerian forwards particularly standing out.
Both Osimhen and Boniface have been instrumental for their respective clubs this season, with their performances attracting interest from several top European clubs.
