{"id":833912,"date":"2025-03-14T10:12:30","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T15:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/14\/bundesligas-best-dribblers-two-nigerian-stars-join-bayerns-kane-leverkusens-wirtz-on-elite-list\/"},"modified":"2025-03-14T10:12:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T15:12:30","slug":"bundesligas-best-dribblers-two-nigerian-stars-join-bayerns-kane-leverkusens-wirtz-on-elite-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/14\/bundesligas-best-dribblers-two-nigerian-stars-join-bayerns-kane-leverkusens-wirtz-on-elite-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Bundesliga\u2019s best dribblers: Two Nigerian stars join Bayern\u2019s Kane, Leverkusen\u2019s Wirtz on elite list"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Two Nigerian stars have emerged among the <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=Bundesliga\">Bundesliga\u2019s<\/a> best dribblers after 25 rounds of the 2024-25 season, <a href=\"https:\/\/Soccernet.ng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>St. Pauli\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=dapo+Afolayan+\">Oladapo Afolayan<\/a> and Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=Tella\">Nathan Tella<\/a> have made the top 50 dribblers list, joining elite names like Florian Wirtz, Harry Kane, and Jamal Musiala, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/eurofootballrumours.com\/top-50-best-dribblers-ranked-by-most-dribbles-in-the-bundesliga-season-2024-25-11-03-2025-38775\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Euro Football Rumours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>St. Pauli winger Afolayan ranks sixth in the league with 43 successful dribbles, cementing his place among the division\u2019s most elusive players.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\n<p>Promotion to the Bundesliga is another milestone in Dapo Afolayan\u2019s career:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Started in the Chelsea academy<br \/>\u2014 Studied in Canada and England unis<br \/>\u2014 Non-league form lead to West Ham move<br \/>\u2014 EFL standout before signing for St. Pauli<\/p>\n<p>Every player has their own unique journey. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jO5cjkXRKz\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/jO5cjkXRKz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2014 SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/scoutedftbl\/status\/1789718765556334883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 12, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The 27-year-old is outperformed only by Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Florian Wirtz (73 dribbles), Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (73), <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/?s=Bayern+Munich\">Bayern Munich<\/a> duo Jamal Musiala (62) and Michael Olise (51), and Eintracht Frankfurt\u2019s Omar Marmoush (46), who joined Manchester City in the winter transfer window.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153458\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153458\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/imago1009449831.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria and St Pauli star, Oladapo Afolayan (L). Photo by IMAGO \" width=\"1222\" height=\"815\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153458\">Nigeria and St Pauli star, Oladapo Afolayan (L). Photo by IMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Interestingly, both Musiala and Olise have Nigerian heritage but opted to represent Germany and France at the international level.<\/p>\n<h2>Soccer Afolayan\u2019s rise in Germany<\/h2>\n<p>Afolayan, who was Bolton Wanderers\u2019 Player of the Season in 2021-22, joined St. Pauli in 2023 and played a key role in their Bundesliga 2 title-winning campaign.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153457\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153457\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/imago1006507652-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria and St Pauli star, Oladapo Afolayan.  Photo by IMAGO\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1767\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153457\">Nigeria and St Pauli star, Oladapo Afolayan. Photo by IMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While eligible for England, he has pledged his international future to Nigeria and is still awaiting his first Super Eagles call-up.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Welcome to TaP23, Dapo Afolayan!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dapo_afolayan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@dapo_afolayan<\/a> played a starring role in St Pauli\u2019s promotion to the Bundesliga this season, scoring in double figures from the wing. From non-league football in England to the Bundesliga, Dapo\u2019s story is a tribute to his talent and dedication\u26bd <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XQfhxya2nl\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/XQfhxya2nl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 TaP23 (@_tap23) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/_tap23\/status\/1802700630441459930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VagMHLcA89MZvw0Btc21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2024\/12\/play-for-nigeria-at-the-next-world-cup-ex-chelsea-star-sends-strong-message-to-nff.html\">Play for Nigeria at the next World Cup\u201d \u2013 Ex-Chelsea star sends strong message to NFF<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2024\/05\/watch-how-nigeria-eligible-winger-oladapo-afolayan-helped-st-pauli-gain-bundesliga-promotion-after-13-years.html\">Watch: How Nigeria-eligible winger Oladapo Afolayan helped St. Pauli gain Bundesliga promotion after 13 years<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2024\/09\/watch-troost-ekong-bags-first-saudi-league-goal-afolayan-claims-maiden-bundesliga-strike-vs-freiburg.html\">WATCH: Troost-Ekong bags first Saudi league goal; Afolayan claims maiden Bundesliga strike vs Freiburg<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Soccer Nigeria\u2019s Tella joins the list, but injury strikes<\/h2>\n<p>Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Nathan Tella is the only current Super Eagles player on the Bundesliga\u2019s top-50 dribblers list, ranking joint-42nd with 18 successful dribbles, alongside club teammate Jeremie Frimpong.<\/p>\n<p>Tella\u2019s dribbling tally is just two fewer than Bayern Munich\u2019s Harry Kane (20), four behind RB Leipzig\u2019s Xavi Simons (22), and five short of Bayern\u2019s Leroy San\u00e9 (23).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153364\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153364\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/imago1059431424.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen star, Nathan Tella. Photo by IMAGO\" width=\"1832\" height=\"1280\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153364\">Nigeria Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen star, Nathan Tella. Photo by IMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, the 24-year-old will be unable to add to his numbers after suffering an injury that rules him out of Leverkusen\u2019s clash with Stuttgart on Sunday.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Camp Update: Joshua Torunarigha has been called to replace injured Nathan Tella. We wish Nathan quick recovery <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/soarsupereagles?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#soarsupereagles<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/h5iaesFFxk\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/h5iaesFFxk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NGSuperEagles\/status\/1900058629811614091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">March 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The setback has also forced him to withdraw from Nigeria\u2019s squad for this month\u2019s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, with Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha called up as his replacement.<\/p>\n<p>The Super Eagles face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later as they continue their push for a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153365\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/imago1059444518-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer Nigeria Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen star, Nathan Tella. Photo by IMAGO\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153365\">Nigeria Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen star, Nathan Tella. Photo by IMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Soccer More Nigerian heritage among Bundesliga\u2019s top dribblers<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond Tella, Afolayan, Olise and Musiala, several other players with Nigerian roots appear on the Bundesliga dribbling charts.<\/p>\n<p>RB Leipzig\u2019s Antonio Nusa, who has a Nigerian father but represents Norway, is ninth with 37 successful dribbles.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Karim Adeyemi, who plays for Germany, ranks 18th with 27 dribbles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/03\/bundesligas-nigerian-bayerns-kane.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Two Nigerian stars have emerged among the Bundesliga\u2019s best dribblers after 25 rounds of the 2024-25 season, Soccernet.ng reports. St. Pauli\u2019s Oladapo Afolayan and Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Nathan Tella have made the top 50 dribblers list, joining elite names like Florian Wirtz, Harry Kane, and Jamal Musiala, according to Euro Football Rumours. St. Pauli winger [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":833913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142468,142469,2005],"tags":[142466,142467],"class_list":["post-833912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bundesligas","category-dribblers","category-soccer","tag-bundesligas","tag-dribblers"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=833912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833912\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/833913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=833912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=833912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}