Arthur Okonkwo beats Osimhen to Nigerian Player of the Week crown

Arthur Okonkwo made eight saves for Charlton on his Championship debut and has been named Nigeria’s Player of the Week. Victor Osimhen scored twice and added an assist for Galatasaray, but the Super Eagles striker was beaten to the award by the goalkeeper’s display in a decisive away London derby against West Ham United.

Okonkwo joined Charlton from Wrexham and was immediately placed in goal for the trip to West Ham. Rather than receiving a gentle introduction to his new club, the 24-year-old faced sustained pressure from the home side’s attack.

The goalkeeper’s eight saves kept Charlton in the contest whenever West Ham broke through. He did not finish with a clean sheet, but his intervention helped Charlton secure an important away victory in the Championship.

Osimhen’s performance for Galatasaray remained one of the strongest claims for the award. His brace and assist came against Erzurumspor, while the goals also moved him past Milan Baros into third place among Galatasaray’s highest-scoring foreign players.

Semi Ajayi and Samuel Chukwueze were also considered. Ajayi scored the opening goal for Hull City against Manchester United, helping the newly promoted side record their first league win over United since November 1974. Chukwueze was named player of the match for AC Milan after helping create the winning goal against Torino.

Okonkwo’s selection rested on the circumstances of his performance as well as the saves themselves. He entered a demanding away fixture as a debutant, faced West Ham’s attacking pressure throughout the match and still helped Charlton leave with the result. That combination gave him the edge over Osimhen’s outstanding attacking numbers.