Foyesade Oluokun - a seasoned linebacker of Nigerian heritage - had yet another superb week in Week 9, starring for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they beat the Baltimore Ravens to go 6-2 for the NFL season.
He continues to stand out among Africa's stars in the NFL, and there were several other stars with Nigerian ties across who also had strong performances this week - particularly defensively. Additionally, Zimbabwe's Nate Landman made big plays in the LA Rams' win over the Washington Commanders.
Africa Player of the Week: Foyesade Oluokun (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Oluokun picks up Africa Player of the Week honors for a second successive week after making seven tackles - six of them solo - and a sack in the Jaguars' 33-10 win over the Ravens.
Oluokun sacked Joe Fagano early in the second quarter, resulting in a two-yard loss for the Ravens on third down. The Jags already led 10-3 by then, but the Ravens were looking to get a drive going to enable them to nullify that advantage, and Oluokun knocked the wind out of their sails.
As usual, however, Oluokun's contribution throughout the win was not built on having the flashiest moments, but rather ruthless consistency and efficiency.
The first-generation Nigerian-American has now made two sacks and two interceptions this season. He is one of only two players in the entire league to have recorded both multiple sacks and multiple interceptions - with the other being the Carolina Panthers' Devin Lloyd.
Africa Moment of the Week: Nick Emmanwori (Seattle Seahawks)
Emmanwori - a safety who is reportedly the youngest of five brothers born to Nigerian parents and raised the country's flag after winning the Super Bowl last season - stopped a touchdown in the 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
With just over four and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, he forced Trey McBride to spill the ball at a crucial moment - keeping the 14-point lead intact.
By defending Gardner Minshew's pass to McBride on fourth down, Emmanwori allowed the Seahawks to start again from their own one-yard line, and they saw out the game from there.
That one-on-one wins Moment of the Week because it was not only a moment of instinctive brilliance from Emmanwori, but also a potentially crucial one in determining which way the game went.
The Seahawks are now 5-4 for the season and despite not being as consistent as last season, they remain in contention.
Honorable mentions
Among other stars of traceable Nigerian descent: Malik Mustapha made an impressive interception for the San Francisco 49ers in their 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Tyler Onyedim forced a fumble for the Denver Broncos in their 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers, and Rome Odunze scored his first touchdown of the season as the Chicago Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24.
Emmett Johnson, who has family roots in Liberia, scored a touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs in a 35-12 win over the New York Jets.
There were players with African ties who made big plays in week 9 but ultimately ended up losing. For one, Austin Ajiake (ties to Nigeria) forced a fumble for the Indianapolis Colts in their 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
His compatriot, Josh Uche, made some big plays for the Miami Dolphins in a 19-9 loss to the Detroit Lions with a sack and a pass defended. Another, Ifeatu Melifonwu, had a pass defended and a fumble reception in the Buccaneers' loss to the Bears.
Africa-born Player Watch
Nate Landman - a linebacker born in Harare, Zimbabwe - was the standout African-born player in week 9. He picked up his third forced fumble of the season and is now joint-fifth in the NFL in that department, also notching up a second pass defended for 2026.
Landman had brilliant moments throughout the game, but was not as consistent as Oluokun. While they both ended with seven tackles, Oluokun had six solo and Landman only three.
Most importantly for Landman, however, his Rams picked up a second successive win - beating the Washington Commanders 20-13.