Top 5 Greatest Nigerian Footballers of All Time

Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that derives pleasure from football. While Nigerians not only watch football, there are a plethora numbers of Nigerian footballers who are too good on the football pitch. Here, we provide you with the Top 5 Greatest Nigerian Footballers of All Time.

At the latest FIFA ranking, is ranked as the third-best footballing African country. The country is just blessed with talented players.

In fact, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have won the AFCON trophy on three different occasions and it is still feared and regarded as one of the best across the continent.

That is why it is not surprising that there talented footballers who have established themselves as a player in the world history of football.

This set of players that are of Nigerian descent are regarded as Nigeria’s greatest footballers of all time.

1. Kanu Nwankwo

Papilo is one of the few talented Nigerian football stars that have their names in the world book of football history. He is not only one of the best footballers in Nigeria but one of the greatest in Africa.

Although he has hung his boots now, Kanu’s ability to dribble past defenders and score goals are exceptional. When he was still in his prime, he played as a winger or center forward.

What’s more, Papilo had a successful footballing career in Nigeria and across Europe and he has two African best players of the year to his name and many more.

He played for the likes of Ajax, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Inter Milan, West Bromwich Albino, Portsmouth, and Arsenal; where he was part of the team that played 2002/2003 invisible.

2. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha

With utmost respect; Jay-Jay Okocha is another talented Nigerian footballer the footballing world will continue to be missed due to his amazing and mesmerizing football dribbling skills.

Jay Jay is a creative player who used to play as an attacking midfielder when he was still active on the pitch. His dribbling skills are second to none.

Rumour even has it that Ronaldinho, one of Brazil’s and Barcelona’s legends, learned some of his dribbling skills from Okocha during their spells at PSG.

Okocha was popular for his technique and dribbling skills. Football history will never forget how he dribbled past one of the greatest goalkeepers of time, Oliver Khan.

He, however, played for PSG, Bolton, and Fenerbahçe. The most shocking thing about him was that he never won Africa’s best player of the year.

3. Sunday Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh was a defensive midfielder when he was actively involved in football and he has a wonderful footballing career, too.

He will always be remembered by Nigerians for scoring the winning goal against Spain in the 1998 World cup group stage.

During his spell, Oliseh played well for the Nigeria Super Eagles and some top European clubs like the Italian giant, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Ajax.

4. Rashidi Yekini

Late Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory was one of the greatest and talented Nigerian strikers of all time.

He represented Nigeria in five different tournaments, bagging 37 goals for the Eagles, and he was capped the African best in 19993.

5. Segun Odegbami

Segun Odegbami who is now a football pundit is another Nigerian footballer of all time. Odegbemi was part of the historical team that gave Nigeria her first-ever Trophy in 1980.

However, he used to play as a forward during his prime. He had 23 goals in 46 caps for the senior team.

There you have it, Top 5 Greatest Nigerian Footballers of All Time, would you like to add to the list?