Emeka Egbuka<\/a> – the 19th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – got his Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> career off to a dream start<\/a> with two crucial touchdowns in a 23-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not only was he instrumental in securing victory on debut, but the wide receiver of Nigerian descent was also the standout African player in week 1 of the 2025-26 NFL season.<\/p>\n Further standout performances from players with ties to the continent came from Samson Ebukam<\/a> (Indianapolis Colts<\/a>), Foyesade Oluokun<\/a> (Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>), and Nate Landman<\/a> (LA Rams) among others.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n NFL Player of the Week: Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)<\/p>\n Fresh out of Ohio State, Egbuka’s NFL debut was one for the books as his touchdown catches in the second and fourth quarters sealed a memorable win in a game that would probably have been out of reach but for his contributions.<\/p>\n The Buccaneers trailed 7-3 in the second quarter when Baker Mayfield<\/a> caught the Falcons defense off guard, pretending to give the ball into the hands of Bucky Irving<\/a> only to buy himself space and launch it long upfield. Egbuka did the rest, making the 30-yard catch and getting past Mike Hughes<\/a> for the finish.<\/p>\n The winning touchdown came in the final minute as Egbuka darted through the middle of the field and positioned himself perfectly to get on the end of Mayfield’s 25-yard pass, beating the despairing dive of Hughes – who was once again the last man who could have stopped him, but once again was left with little chance.<\/p>\n Egbuka was the hero as the Buccaneers came away with the win on away soil at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.<\/p>\n Oluokun’s crucial interception in the second quarter led to the Jacksonville Jaguars scoring their first touchdown en route to a 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers<\/a>.<\/p>\n The linebacker of Nigerian descent got in the way of a Bryce Young<\/a> pass intended for Xavier Legette<\/a>, and off the ensuing drive, the Jaguars chipped away and made up 35 yards over eight plays, culminating in Hunter Long<\/a>‘s touchdown off a Trevor Lawrence<\/a> pass.<\/p>\n It all started with Oluokun’s interception in what proved to be a crucial play, but it was not all he had to show for one of the most impressive defensive performances across the league in week 1.<\/p>\n Oluokun also starred with a forced fumble and made a total of 10 tackles as he led the Jags to victory at EverBank Stadium.<\/p>\n Honorable mentions<\/p>\n While Chuba Hubbard<\/a> was on the losing side of the Jaguars’ win over the Panthers, the running back – born in Canada to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother – scored a touchdown.<\/p>\n Alvin Kamara<\/a> – who is of Liberian heritage – also scored a touchdown in a defeat as the New Orleans Saints<\/a> lost 20-13 to the Arizona Cardinals<\/a>. It was an historic moment, as it was the 1000th touchdown at Caesars Superdome.<\/p>\n 1:17<\/p>\n The best plays from a thrilling Week 1 of the NFL season<\/p>\n Check out all of Sunday’s thrilling plays from Week 1 of the NFL season.<\/p>\n Bobby Okereke<\/a> – of Nigerian descent and a major part of the NFL’s work in Africa to date – made 16 tackles in the New York Giants<\/a>‘ 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/a> is of Sierra Leonean heritage and gained 124 receiving yards for the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> against the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>. However, unlike former teammate Egbuka, he did not start the season with a win – as the 49ers walked away 17-13 victors.<\/p>\n Nigerian-American duo Folorunso Fatukasi<\/a> (Houston Texans<\/a>) and Nnamdi Madubuike<\/a> (Baltimore Ravens<\/a>) each picked up sacks in their teams’ first fixtures of the season, but were on the losing end against the LA Rams and the Buffalo Bills<\/a> respectively.<\/p>\n In the Chicago Bears<\/a>‘ 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>, two players of Nigerian descent had big moments for the hosts at Soldier Field. Rome Odunze<\/a> scored a touchdown, while Dayo Odeyingbo<\/a> sacked J.J. McCarthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Africa-born Player Watch<\/p>\n While many of the best African players in the first week of the NFL season ended up with defeats, two homegrown African stars in particular stood out in victories.<\/p>\nNigerian-American Emeka Egbuka has a superb NFL debut for the Buccaneers, scoring two touchdowns in their win over the Atlanta Falcons in week 1.\u00a0Todd Kirkland\/Getty ImagesNFL Moment of the Week: Foyesade Oluokun (Jacksonville Jaguars)<\/p>\n
play<\/p>\n