Gareth Bale may have stolen the global limelight of this summer’s transfer window, but Nigerian players were not left out of the frenzy of the football market.

Nigeria’s profile in the game improved after the national team, the Super Eagles, returned to the summit of African football following their conquest at the African Cup of Nations in South Africa early this year, their first in 19 years.

That continental success also earned them a berth at this summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil, testing their might against the South American champions, Uruguay; as well as the world and European kings, Spain. The Super Eagles were eliminated in the first round but they nevertheless contributed some exciting moments to the tournament that served as a prelude to the Mundial.

So how has this impressive football year impacted on some of our best talents, in the just ended transfer window?

England

Two of the best players at the Nations Cup, Chelsea’s duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, would look back at the summer window with uncertainties in terms of accomplishment. Moses was at the heart of the Eagles success in South Africa but suffered a dip in form for the Blues on his return. Though he played a key role in the club’s Europa League success last season, he struggled to recreate the form in the Premier League.

Moses had great enthusiasm and showed promises in pre-season and was hoping to impress Chelsea’s new manager Jose Mourinho to see him as part of his plans. Sadly, not only did Mourinho sign Andre Schurrle, a wing forward like the Nigerian, he added Brazilian winger, Willian in a mouth-watering £26m deal from Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala, in a surprising late bid.

Moses, 22, had to settle for a deadline day loan move to Liverpool and his disappointment could not be hidden during his first interview at Anfield; even though he chose the right words.

Mikel, the most outstanding player at AFCON, had a torrid time under Rafa Benitez but following the appointment of Mourinho, it was understandable for him to hope for the return of happy days. The Portuguese manager brought him to the London club as a teenager after a bitter move from Norwegian club, Oslo Lyn, but the Eagles playmaker hasn’t impressed his boss to start any of Chelsea’s first four games this season.

His agent, John Shittu, refused to deny talks with Galatasaray, who were interested in the player all summer; and it won’t be surprising to see the move reignited if his situation does not improve till the next window in January.

26-year-old Mikel and Michael Essien are the most experienced defensive minded midfielders currently at Chelsea, but Mourinho has preferred to adapt Ramires to combine with veteran goal-scoring Frank Lampard, 35, to shield his back line.

The third of Nigeria’s Chelsea contingent, Kenneth Omeruo’s profile has cooled despite promises of first team involvement after his development at Den Haag of Holland last season. He has been listed has an U-21 player and the decision to keep him at the club may do more harm than good to his growth. Perhaps a loan to a Championship side could be a good option.

Osaze Odemwingie has ended his sojourn at West Bromwich Albion after an unfortunate season at the club. The striker, who holds the club’s all-time record of the highest Premier League scorer in a single season, has joined newcomers – Cardiff City for £2.5million. It came after a potential move to Queens Park Rangers emerged as an unforgettable transfer farce in England.

Odemwingie is delighted with his new start and will be expected to redeem his reputation more on the field of play this time, than making waves in the media for the wrong reasons.

France

Nigeria’s top goalie, Vincent Enyeama, is back at his club Lille in France after a loan spell at Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv. He has started all of the club’s four league games this season and kept three clean sheets, making nine saves in the process.

Enyeama has not enjoyed the rave reviews he deserved. He has remained his country’s top goalie for over a decade and is no doubt one of the greatest shot stoppers to have emerged from Africa with two CAF Champions League titles and a Nations Cup winning medal. He has kept his profile with his return to France which will help his competitiveness as Nigeria’s number one.

Meanwhile Sunday Mba who had an impressive outing at AFCON, thought he had completed a move to Ligue 2 side Bastia before the French side...

More here >>> http://telegraphng.com/2013/09/nigerians-fared-transfer-window/