Former Flying Eagles forward Luqman Gilmore has expressed his delight after winning the Goal of the Season award at his Latvian club. Gilmore said the recognition means a lot to him and is a reward for his hard work on the pitch. Gilmore added that he hopes the award will boost his confidence and inspire him to deliver even more for his club next season.
Gilmore’s journey is emblematic of many Nigerian youth products who venture into lesser-known European leagues in search of playing time and meaning. For some, such moves are viewed as stepping stones. For others, like him, they are a reinvention. To score a goal worthy of such an award in a foreign league is to announce yourself all over again not as a hopeful teenager, but as a refined professional.
Editorial
In the quiet moments that define a player’s career, Luqman Gilmore’s Goal of the Season honour in Latvia feels far more consequential than its setting suggests. This is not just a trophy it is affirmation a declaration that the promise he once showed in the Flying Eagles still burns brightly and unabated.
It is also a reminder of how the metrics of success are evolving. The modern footballer’s reputation is no longer built solely on headlines or national team call-ups. A moment of brilliance a perfectly struck shot, a solo run can now define seasons and careers, especially in clubs outside the glare of global television.
For Nigerian football, Gilmore’s achievement should resonate deeply. It illustrates the depth of our youth talent, and the way our young stars are making their mark far beyond home soil. It also challenges the narrative that success must always run through the traditional powerhouses of Europe.
If Gilmore continues on this trajectory combining moments of magic with steady development the Flying Eagles faithful may yet see him back in green and white at the highest level. But even if that doesn’t happen, his Goal of the Season is a testament that talent, when nurtured, finds its stage wherever the spotlight shines.
Did You Know?
- Luqman Gilmore played for the Nigerian U-20 side, the Flying Eagles, before moving overseas.
- Gilmore’s award-winning goal came in the Latvian top flight, which is not one of Europe’s “big five” leagues — highlighting how talented players often shine in less-publicised environments.
- The Flying Eagles (Nigeria U-20) have produced top senior Nigerian internationals like Kelechi Iheanacho.
- Gilmore’s success adds to a growing trend of Nigerian youth players building strong careers in Eastern European leagues as a pathway to wider recognition.
- Winning a “Goal of the Season” award is not just about flair — it often requires consistent creativity, technique, and timing, revealing a sophisticated attacking mindset in Gilmore that could serve him well in bigger leagues.
