Southampton’s rising Nigerian star Nicholas Oyekunle is on the brink of history after netting twice in a 4–2 win over West Ham United in the U18 Premier League South. His brace at Staplewood Training Ground on Tuesday brought his tally to 25 goals in 21 matches this season and 36 in total from 53 games in the U18 Premier League.
That places Oyekunle just one goal shy of the all time record of 37 goals, set by fellow Nigerian Chido Obi during his prolific stint with Manchester United’s youth team.
Oyekunle has made remarkable progress over the past two seasons scoring four goals in 2022–23, seven in 2023–24, and now emerging as the division’s leading scorer in 2025. His match winning performance included the opening goal and a composed penalty in stoppage time to seal Southampton’s win.
The result solidified Southampton’s spot at the top of the U18 Premier League South table with 39 points from 22 games. Oyekunle has also been shortlisted for the prestigious Male Rising Star award at the Nigeria UK Sports Award, competing against the likes of Oluwajomiloju Aminu, Charles Agbawodikeizu, Chido Obi, and Jade Cole.
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Editorial
Nicholas Oyekunle isn’t just scoring goals he’s rewriting scripts. The young Nigerian forward is on the cusp of breaking an U18 Premier League record that once seemed untouchable. And what makes this even more poetic is that the benchmark was set by another Nigerian Chido Obi.
This is more than a stat line. It’s a clear sign of the Nigerian pipeline steadily making its mark in elite youth football. In a system known for producing stars, Oyekunle is proving he’s not just another talent he’s a record chaser, a match-winner, and a future headline name.
What makes Oyekunle’s rise particularly exciting is his evolution. From four goals in his first season to 25 in the current campaign, this is a young player learning, adapting, and excelling. And his game isn’t just about finishing he’s leading the line with intelligence and composure, as shown by his ability to deliver under pressure.
As he prepares to etch his name in the league’s record books, he’s also boosting the profile of Nigerian football abroad. This is exactly the kind of player the Super Eagles should keep tabs on—prolific, focused, and battle tested in a competitive development system.
Record or not, Nicholas Oyekunle’s name is already resonating—and his best chapters are still ahead.
Did You Know?
- The current U18 Premier League goal record (37) was set by Nigerian striker Chido Obi in just 26 matches.
- Nicholas Oyekunle began his Southampton journey as a wide forward before transitioning into a central striker role.
- The U18 Premier League South includes youth teams from clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham making Oyekunle’s scoring feat even more impressive.
- Southampton’s academy has produced Premier League stars like Gareth Bale, James Ward-Prowse, and Luke Shaw.
- The Nigeria UK Sports Award is an annual event that honours outstanding Nigerian athletes based in the United Kingdom across various sports disciplines.
