The frontman netted his first Ligue 1 hat-trick at the weekend and has been outstanding in his first year in one of Europe’s top five leagues

When Victor Ikpeba scored 14 Ligue 1 goals for Monaco in 1997/98, the ex-Nigeria international probably never imagined his haul would stand for over two decades.

Admittedly, this is probably due to the dearth of Nigerians participating in the French top flight over the years, as well as the pandemic, which meant Victor Osimhen couldn’t supplant the Prince of Monaco last term.

Having said that, Terem Moffi’s 14-goal haul after 28 games means Ikpeba’s tally is likely to be beaten after 23 years. The Lorient frontman’s return has come in 22 starts, which adds further gloss on an amazing goalscoring season that’s gone under the radar owing to the form of other Nigeria forwards in 2020/21.

Moffi had never played in any of Europe’s top five leagues until this year either, so scoring 14 times in 22 starts having had a slightly late start to the campaign is commendable.

The 21-year-old missed the newly-promoted side’s first six games of the campaign but made a goalscoring debut in the side’s 3-1 win at Reims only to go on a nine-game drought in front of goal.

remarked after Sunday’s victory.  “He is not yet at 100% of his potential and I don’t dwell on the success of one player, but of a super-efficient attacking duo (Moffi and Yoane Wissa) and we know the qualities of these strikers.”

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