When Semi Ajayi scored for West Bromwich Albion yesterday in their 1-1 draw against Leeds United, the 26 year old was not in the know that he has further established himself as the highest goal scoring defender ever in the history of players of the senior national team of Nigeria at club level.
Ajayi has so far scored 19 career goals at club level and that is more than any other Nigerian defender who has played in Europe in the history of Nigerian football. Joseph Yobo is the closest with 13 goals to his name.
Ajayi who is now the first choice centre defence pair for the Super Eagles alongside William Troost-Ekong can easily pass as the most improved Nigerian player last year as he moved from getting dropped for the Africa Cup of Nations to becoming one of the pillars in the team.
At promotion chasing West Brom he has been ever present for the team with his performance earning him as many as six man of the match award following his transfer from relegated Championship side Rotherham United in the summer.
Linked with a move to a team in the English Premier League in the January transfer window, he looks however certain to remain at West Brom where he hope to aid their push for promotion by not just stopping strikers from scoring but also scoring as well.
He has four goals this season from his position as a central defender and the tally makes him the joint sixth highest goal scorer for his team so far after 26 league matches in the English Championship this season.
Yusuf Mahawi
