Top 5 Super Eagles Players to Bet on for the First Goal in a Match
Predicting the first goalscorer is one of the most

Predicting the first goalscorer is one of the most exciting bets in football. It’s a bet that can be won in the first moments of a match, making the first thrill an instant win possibility. For fans of the Super Eagles player, this wager adds another layer of involvement to every match. This article examines the five Nigeria players most likely to score the first goal for the country using data analysis. We will look at each player according to their role, form, and historical data to help you make a better choice when placing your bet.
Understanding the First Goalscorer Bet
You place a bet on the player you think will score the first goal in the First Goalscorer betting market. A strong candidate is typically an in-form striker or designated penalty taker, but it could also be an attacking midfielder player who shoots a lot. To pick our top five options for any given football match, we have assessed current player roles, recent goal statistics and their importance to the attack.
Why Bet on the First Goalscorer?
The first goalscorers market is attractive because a high return can be made. Odds on a particular player to score first are always a lot greater than another bet like the match winner outright. This a risky move and a profitable move, fills the first few minutes of the football game with thrill. While it is one thing to predict the result of a match, one will get a unique thrill, as well as a much larger payout, if they can guess which player will make the first goal. This turns every positive early attack and shot on goal into anticipation in a match.
Criteria for Our Top 5 Picks (The 2025 Squad)
The top five players team picked are not based on reputation but a set criterion applicable to the current Super Eagles squad. The methodology considers:
- Current Form: The latest goal scoring record for club and country.
- Role: Position and role within the attack (e.g. key striker, focal point of the attack).
- Historical Goal Statistics: The total goals for the Nigeria nation football.
- Specific Duty: Who will take the penalties and free-kicks.
Taking the above factors into account it offers an insight as to who is the likely Early Impact player.
Before we get into the full breakdown, here’s a summary of the best 5 players and their key strengths.
Player | Position | Key Strength for First Goal | Betting Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Victor Osimhen | Striker | Main attacker, high volume of shots | The Favourite |
Victor Boniface | Striker | Power, long shots, versatility | Strong Contender |
Ademola Lookman | Winger/Attacking Mid. | Dribbling, shooting from distance, creativity | Creative Threat |
Kelechi Iheanacho | Striker | Clinical finishing, high efficiency | The Finisher |
William Troost-Ekong | Defender | Designated penalty taker | The Value Pick |
Now, let's explore why each of these players made our list.
The Premier Strikers: Nigeria's Two Victors
The Nigeria players' attack is led by a pair of talented forwards, both named Victor. The two players that pose the most threat for the club to make a goal and not surprisingly, the first-ranked favourite by bookmakers to score first in any competition. Their different methods work together nicely meaning that they are a nightmare for defenders. The best players in Nigeria play an important role in many matches.
The Obvious Choice - Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen is the main player that the Super Eagles attack goes through. The whole attacking structure is built to serve the group main number 9. Player mix of speed, height, and shot makes him always very dangerous. Player recent goal statistics for his club as well as Nigeria suggest he is one of the best strikers in Africa. He comes through in any major international tournament like the African Cup of Nations or FIFA World Cup. When looking at the odds, player Osimhen is nearly always the favourite to score first, and it’s easy to see why – he’s the most likely in every match player starts.
The Powerhouse Forward - Victor Boniface
Player Victor Boniface is another threat, although a different one. He can play up front at centre forward in the team or a little deeper in the side as the need arises. He’s a powerful striker who can create his own shots, which is why he is a strong candidate to finish first in FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. Player Boniface has a powerful shot from long distance and is a serious goal threat from set-pieces through his physicality. Player often takes defenders with him, creating space for himself and others. A good player to take advantage of chaos in the early stages of a Nigeria football match, making him a great pick for a first goalscorer bet.
The Attacking Midfield and Winger Threats
Goals don't just come from the main strikers. Although the modern Super Eagles squad boasts of several explosive attackers, they all operate more from wider or deeper positions. These Super Eagles players are usually well-equipped to score an early goal, given their speed, creativity, and ability to work from a distance. This section looks at the creative talents who can find the net first and make a goal. Each player brings a unique threat.
The Creative Spark - Ademola Lookman
Player Ademola Lookman, who is unpredictable and explosively powerful, has proven to be a real goal threat on the wings and in attacking midfield. Player possesses the readiness to use his body to take on defenders and create his own shot. Player Lookman takes shots from outside the box and cutting inside from the flank enables him to gets into dangerous scoring positions. Player stats indicate a scoring habit for key goals and he is often most involved in the attacking play early on in the score. He’s a great option for a first goal as his direct nature can see defences surprised early on in a football.
The Clinical Finisher - Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho has one of the best goals-to-games ratios for Nigeria players. The man "Senior man" is a pure finisher with an almost creepy calmness in front of the goal. Although not assured a starting role, his efficiency represents a noteworthy threat in any game situation he finds himself in. He is a player whose exceptional capacity to find space in the penalty area and finish chances with his first touch will make him invaluable whether he starts or is a sub. Given his clinical nature, he is often a Man-of-the-Match candidate with his first opportunity. He will certainly score among the top player in Nigeria national football team.
The Value Bet and How to Place It
While the strikers are the key options, looking for value often pays off. This last analytical section will reveal a dark horse player whose odds will be considerably higher and provide a massive payout. We will then instruct you on how to use that information to place your bet on the next Super Eagles match.
The Value Pick - William Troost-Ekong
Player William Troost-Ekong is definitely your best bet for value. The central defender is far less likely to score first than any attacker will likely do. But he has an important role that makes him a great dark horse: he is the penalty taker for the team. The captain’s coolness and composure from the spot have been proven many times, particularly in the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In the event that Super Eagles get an early penalty, this player will be the man to take it. This makes him a smart bet to first, offering incredible returns at great odds in FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
How to Place Your First Goalscorer Bet on 1win
It’s easy to place a bet on one of these athletes on 1win Nigeria. Follow these steps.
- Log in to 1win and go to Football or Soccer section to find a match. Find the upcoming Super Eagles match you want to bet on.
- Bring Up the Market: Click on the match to see all available betting markets. Continue scrolling until you see First Goalscorer.
- Take a look at the available players and pick the one that you want to back. This can be, for example, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, or the value pick William Troost-Ekong.
- Stake your bet by clicking on the odds next to the name of your player. This will add the selection to your bet slip.
- Make sure you enter your stake, which is the amount of money you want to bet.
- To confirm your bet, check your selection and stake, then click Place Bet.
Now, all you need to do is wait for the match to commence and then hope for your selected player to score first.