Nigeria has produced a long line of footballers who left their mark in German football, and the DFB-Pokal has seen its fair share of Super Eagles stars finding the net. From the 1990s to the present, Nigerian players have played for different clubs across Germany, showing consistency and efficiency in cup competitions.
In this piece, Footynaija.com counts down the top five greatest Nigerian goalscorers in German DFB-Pokal history.
5. Victor Agali, Chinedu Obasi, Kevin Akpoguma, Ojojo Torunarigha, Solomon Okoronkwo, Christian Okpala, Jay-Jay Okocha, Adolphus Ofodile & Dickson Abiama – 2 goals each
A host of Nigerian stars share this spot with 2 Cup goals apiece. Victor Agali, who featured for Hansa Rostock and Schalke 04, scored twice in his 10 Cup games across 5 seasons. Chinedu Obasi netted his brace during his time with Schalke, adding creativity and spark across 7 campaigns.
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Kevin Akpoguma, the Hoffenheim defender, has surprisingly scored 2 goals in 16 Cup appearances and remains active at 30. Ojojo Torunarigha’s 2 strikes came for Chemnitzer FC in the 1990s, while Solomon Okoronkwo also chipped in with 2 goals during his spells at Hertha Berlin and Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.
Christian Okpala (VfB Oldenburg), Adolphus Ofodile (Fortuna Köln), and even the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha (Eintracht Frankfurt) all recorded 2 Cup goals during their time in Germany. More recently, Dickson Abiama of Greuther Fürth has matched them, scoring 2 goals across his 6 Cup appearances since 2021.
4. Victor Boniface – 3 goals
Victor Boniface has made a big impression in Germany not just in the Bundesliga but also in the Cup. Since joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2022, the 24-year-old forward has bagged 3 goals in 6 DFB-Pokal matches across 3 seasons.
Boniface, who lifted the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen in 2024, has become a fan favourite for his power, skill, and finishing. Many expect him to add more Cup goals to his tally in the coming years as he continues to lead Leverkusen’s attack.
3. Manasseh Ishiaku & Osayamen Osawe – 4 goals each
Manasseh Ishiaku enjoyed a short but explosive run in the DFB-Pokal. The striker, who represented MSV Duisburg and later 1. FC Köln, netted 4 goals in just 3 matches over 2 seasons, proving to be a clinical finisher whenever given the chance.
Osayamen Osawe, meanwhile, delivered all 4 of his goals for 1. FC Kaiserslautern between 2016 and 2019. In his 4 appearances, the energetic forward always found a way to make an impact, leaving a sharp mark in the Cup despite his limited run.
2. Anthony Ujah – 7 goals
Anthony Ujah carved out his name in the German Cup during 11 seasons with Mainz 05, 1. FC Köln, Werder Bremen, and Union Berlin. Across 24 appearances, the centre-forward scored 7 goals, showing his knack for poaching goals against strong Bundesliga opposition.
1. Jonathan Akpoborie – 11 goals
Jonathan Akpoborie tops the list for Nigerian strikers in the German Cup with an impressive record. The former Super Eagles striker featured for Stuttgart Kickers, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hansa Rostock, FC Carl Zeiss Jena, and 1. FC Saarbrücken across 11 DFB-Pokal seasons.
In 26 appearances, Akpoborie scored 11 goals, making him the most prolific Nigerian ever in the competition. His consistency through the 1990s and early 2000s put him in elite company in German football history.
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