Ten Nigerians Set For Premier League Action As Coventry Duo Suffer Arsenal Defeat

Ten Nigerian players are set to feature in the 2026/2027 Premier League season, with Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi among the first to begin their campaigns.

The Nigerian duo made their return to the English top flight with Coventry City on Friday night, but their opening game ended in a 3-0 defeat to defending champions Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

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Onyeka played an important role in Coventry’s promotion to the Premier League after 25 years, while Awoniyi joined the club just four days before their clash with Arsenal.

The pair therefore had little time to settle before facing the reigning champions in their first Premier League fixture.

Semi Ajayi will also return to the Premier League with newly promoted Hull City. The 32-year-old defender helped the Tigers secure promotion after starting their Championship play-off final victory over Middlesbrough and keeping a clean sheet at Wembley.

Ajayi previously made 33 Premier League appearances for West Bromwich Albion during the 2020/21 season. He is expected to provide experience for Hull City when they begin their campaign against Manchester United later today.

David Akintola is another Nigerian set to experience Premier League football for the first time. The 30-year-old winger played a role in Hull City’s promotion and has previously featured in Denmark, Norway, Cyprus and Turkey.

Brighton teenager Zadok Yohanna is also preparing for his first Premier League season. The Seagulls signed the Nigerian from Swedish club AIK on a five-year contract after he recorded five goals and four assists in 18 league and cup appearances.

Yohanna has been given the number 36 shirt and included in Brighton’s first-team squad, although the club is expected to give him time to adjust to the demands of English top-flight football.

Brentford have also included Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick in their Premier League squad after promoting him to the first team.

The centre-back signed a new four-year contract in July, with an option for another year, and will wear the number 48 shirt. He could make his Premier League debut when Brentford face Tottenham later today.

Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina will begin the season as established Premier League players.

Iwobi has made 320 appearances in the competition and recorded four goals and three assists in 27 league games last season. The Fulham midfielder also earned his 100th cap for Nigeria in June.

Iwobi and Bassey will feature when Fulham host Chelsea on Monday, August 24.

Bassey has established himself as an important player at Fulham, while Aina remains one of Nottingham Forest’s reliable defenders. The versatile full-back recently signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2028.

Chuba Akpom will also return to the Premier League with Ipswich Town after the club made his loan move from Ajax permanent.

The forward signed a contract until 2029 after scoring 31 goals to finish as the Championship’s leading scorer during Ipswich’s promotion campaign last season.