Super Eagles Value Decreases From €465m to €345m

The Nigerian Super Eagles experienced a significant drop in squad market value, falling from 12th to 13th globally with a decrease of €121m.
Despite this decline, they remain the most valuable team in Africa, surpassing Ivory Coast and Morocco, who rank second and third respectively in the continent.
England maintains its position as the world’s most financially valuable team, followed by France, Brazil, and Spain.

Eko Hot Blog reports that despite finishing second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast last month, the Super Eagles suffered a massive drop in their squad market value.

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The three-time African champions have slipped to 13th place in the global rankings for the most valuable international teams, yet they remain the most financially valuable team in Africa.

With players competing in Europe’s prestigious leagues, the Eagles have solidified their position as one of the world’s most valuable teams, boasting a total worth of €345m, equivalent to N555bn based on the official exchange rate of the naira on Wednesday.

In December 2023, they were placed 12th with a market value of €465.90m.

The Nigerian squad’s value witnessed a decrease of €121m compared to the squad’s previous value.

The significant devaluation primarily resulted from numerous player injuries during the AFCON preparation, compelling former manager Jose Peseiro to include players with minimal market value in the squad for the tournament.

In Boniface’s absence, valued at €40m, Ademola Lookman emerges as Atalanta’s second most expensive player, holding a market worth of €30m.

Following closely, Fulham standout Alex Iwobi ranks as the team’s third most valuable player at €28m. Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze and Terem Moffi maintain their €25m valuation, while Wilfred Ndidi experiences a significant decrease in his market value, dropping from €60m to €16m.

Players like Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka saw little rise in their market values.

Among all the three goalkeepers included in the squad by transfermarkt, Francis Uzoho has the highest value of €450,000 while Stanley Nwabali and Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke, according to the website, are both valued at €250,000 and €100,000 respectively.

Aside Bassey, whose value stands at €16m, no other Super Eagles defender is worth €10m, with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina, the nearest with €8.5m and €8m values respectively. The sextet William Troost-Ekong (€2m), Kenneth Omeruo(€2m), Chidozie Awaziem (€3m), Semi Ajayi (€1.8m), Zaidu Sanusi (€3m), and Bruno Onyemaechi (€3m) are all merely €14.8m combined.

The Super Eagles’ squad value decline pushed them to 13th place worldwide, yet they maintain their status as the most valuable team in Africa, surpassing Ivory Coast and Morocco.

Ivory Coast, reigning AFCON champions, previously ranked third in Africa in December. They now stand as the second most valuable team on the continent and 18th globally, with a squad value of €315m.

Morocco saw a significant squad value decline, plummeting from €350.80m to €294m. Despite this drop, they maintained their position in the top three in Africa and 21st globally.

Senegal retained their fourth spot with a value of €269m, while Algeria’s value of €238m pushed them ahead of Ghana to claim fifth place.