Top 5 highest scoring Nigerians in Ligue 1 history after Terem Moffi’s milestone

Nigerian footballers continue setting new records and flying the green and white flag high in Europe.

This past weekend, Terem Moffi became the latest Nigerian star to hit 50 goals in a European top 5 league.

By doing so, he inches closer and closer to becoming Nigeria's top scorer in Ligue 1.

Moffi scored for Nice in their 2-1 defeat to Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, March 31. The Super Eagles star has reached half a century of goals in his fifth season.

Nevertheless, he wasn't the first Nigerian to light up Ligue 1. Taribo West, John Utaka, Victor Ikpeba, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Vincent Enyeama are some Nigerians who left a mark in the league.

Top 5 Nigerian top scorers in Ligue 1

5. Peter Odemwingie – Lille (23 goals)

Odemwingie was one of Nigeria's most exciting players. He played three seasons in Ligue 1, all with Lille. In his first season, he scored four goals, then followed it up with 14, then five. He scored a vital goal for the French side in the Champions League against AC Milan to send them to the knockout stages.

He went on to have a decent career. Odemwingie made a name for himself in the Premier League. Only four Nigerians have scored more Premier League goals than him.

4. Moses Simon - Nantes (25 goals)

The Super Eagles winger has played five seasons in Ligue 1, all with Nantes. He has scored 25 goals in 145 appearances. The Super Eagles international has also provided 28 assists. The most he's scored in a Ligue 1 campaign is six goals in 2021/22.

His 2023/24 season ended after a serious leg injury during Nigeria's game against Mali last week. With Moffi just getting started in France, it is highly unlikely that Simon will climb up in this list.

3. Terem Moffi - Nice, Lorient (50 goals)

Moffi will likely become Nigeria's top goalscorer in Ligue 1 this season. He's only 24 and has scored 50 goals in 126 appearances. He has hit double figures in goals three times in his five seasons in Ligue 1.

Barring any injury setbacks this season, he has a good chance of eclipsing the player who tops this league.

5️⃣0️⃣ career Ligue 1 goals, Terem Moffi ????????⏰ pic.twitter.com/kY1faJMmyA

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 31, 2024

2. Victor Ikpeba - Monaco (55 goals)

Ikpeba is probably the most decorated player on this list. He won an AFCON title and an Olympic gold medal. The Super Eagles legend played at Monaco for six seasons in the mid to late 1990s. He scored 55 goals in 170 appearances and was part of the team that won the Ligue 1 and the Trophee des Champions in the 1996/1997 season.

He went on to play in Germany, Spain and Belgium but never replicated his Monaco performances.

L'AS Monaco souhaite un joyeux anniversaire à son ancien attaquant nigérian, @V_Ikpeba, qui fête ses 50 ans ????????????

Auteur de 76 buts entre 1993 et 1999, il est encore à ce jour le meilleur buteur du Club dans les compétitions continentales ???? pic.twitter.com/zq0FBXYpHu

— AS Monaco ???????? (@AS_Monaco) June 12, 2023

1. John Utaka - Lens, Stade Rennais, Montpellier (59 goals)

Utaka remains one of Nigeria's most underrated players. His name may not be as big as Okocha's, but he will go down as arguably the best Nigerian to play in France. He played eight seasons in Ligue 1 for three teams, Montpellier, Stade Rennais and Lens.

He moved to France in the 2002/03 season and played five straight seasons before moving to England, before returning to France to play for Montpellier. He bagged 59 goals in 239 appearances and won the 2011/12 Ligue 1 title.