The 10 best Nigerian soccer players ever that you should know

Nigeria is one of Africa’s famous football countries, having produced many great talents in world football. From the vibrant tunes of the Super Eagles to the comeback skills showcased in tournaments around the world, Nigerian footballers have left an indelible mark on the sport. In our journey to discover the top 10 best Nigerian soccer players ever, we will explore their captivating feats and special talents with kingsoccertips.com their captivating feats and special talents, celebrating their contribution to this beautiful game.

Top the best Nigerian soccer players that you should know

1. John Obi Mikel

Chelsea won the race to sign John Obi Mikel against Manchester United in a transfer deal. Before joining Chelsea, Mikel attracted attention from top Premier League teams thanks to his outstanding performance at the 2003 U17 World Cup.

During 11 years with Chelsea, the Nigerian midfielder played in 372 matches. He has won a series of trophies, including 2 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 1 Champions League and 1 Europa League. At the international level, John Obi-Mikel played for Nigeria in 91 matches and was selected in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Team of the Year, further solidifying his status as one of the best Nigerian soccer players.

2. Wilfried Ndidi

After N’Golo Kanté left, the task of filling the void in Leicester City’s midfield was assigned to Wilfried Ndidi. In his early days with the “Foxes”, this Nigerian midfielder quickly demonstrated his ability to integrate.

In his first season in the Premier League, no one could match Ndidi’s accuracy in clearing the ball. During the 2020/21 season, Ndidi played a key role in helping Leicester win the FA Cup for the first time in their history before they overcame Manchester City to lift the Community Shield trophy.

3. Yakubu Ayegbeni

Yakubu Ayegbeni, commonly known as Yakubu, is one of the best Nigerian soccer players, with the title of scoring the most goals in Premier League history and being ranked fourth among African players to ever play in England’s top league. With 95 goals in 252 Premier League appearances, Yakubu has cemented his status, becoming one of the few players to score hat-tricks for three different clubs (Blackburn, Everton, and Portsmouth).

Yakubu began his career in the Premier League with Portsmouth, where he scored 42 goals in 92 appearances, with one of his most impressive performances being a hat-trick against Middlesbrough in the 2003/04 season. In 2007, Everton broke the transfer record when paying 11.25 million pounds to re-sign Yakubu.

4. Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu is one of the first African players to make a strong mark in the Premier League. After making a strong impression on the Dutch youth team at the U17 World Cup in 1993, Kanu officially joined Ajax that year. Known for his remarkable skills and versatility, Kanu has earned his place among the best Nigerian soccer players in history.

In 1999, Kanu moved to Arsenal and became an icon at Highbury. With 44 goals in 198 appearances for the Gunners, this Nigerian striker helped the club win two Premier League titles. After a successful spell at Arsenal, Kanu moved to Portsmouth, where he went on to add to his glorious reputation by winning the FA Cup in 2008.

5. Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha is considered one of the best Nigerian soccer players, and his move to Bolton was a real coup. Before coming to Bolton, Okocha made a name for himself at Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, and PSG, thanks to his artistic playing style and exquisite technique on the field.

Okocha’s arrival at Bolton quickly attracted the affection of Premier League fans and spectators. Despite physical problems, the Nigerian star still played an important role in helping the team avoid the risk of relegation. In total, Okocha appeared 142 times for Bolton, with his most outstanding achievement being helping the team to reach the League Cup final in 2004.

6. Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Martins is a former Nigerian professional football player, known for his outstanding speed, strength, and impressive scoring ability. Born on October 28, 1984, in Lagos, Nigeria, Martins began his career in Europe with Italian club Reggiana, before moving to Inter Milan, where he rose to fame. His remarkable performances have earned him a place among the best Nigerian soccer players in history.

At Inter Milan, Martins shone with many important goals and won many titles, including Serie A and Coppa Italia. His agility and powerful long-range shooting ability have helped him become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

7. Ahmed Musa

Ahmed Musa is a Nigerian professional footballer, known for his speed, technique, and excellent scoring ability. Born on 14 October 1992 in Jos, Nigeria, Musa usually plays as a winger has played for many clubs across Europe and Asia, and is an important member of the Nigerian national team at international tournaments.

Musa’s club career started at the GBS Football Academy in Nigeria before he moved to JUTH FC and then Kano Pillars, where he shone as one of the top strikers in the Nigerian Premier League. His scoring ability attracted attention from European clubs, and he moved to VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands in 2010, further establishing himself as one of the best Nigerian soccer players.

8. Vincent Enyeama

Vincent Enyeama, whose remarkable career spanned over a decade with the Nigerian national team, is considered one of the most respected figures in Nigerian football history. His journey as a goalkeeper is not only a testament to his talent and dedication but also a reflection of his lasting impact on the sport in his homeland and beyond.

Enyeama’s rise to prominence began on the football fields of Nigeria, where his natural talent as a goalkeeper caught the attention of scouts and coaches early on. His impressive performances for local clubs paved the way for his professional career, which soon saw him playing for some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.

9. Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho is one of the best Nigerian soccer players who plays as a striker. Born on October 3, 1996, in Imo, Nigeria, Iheanacho is known for his scoring ability and talent for creating opportunities for teammates. He is considered one of Nigeria’s top talents and has played for top clubs in Europe.

“Iheanacho’s career began to shine prominently at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he helped Nigeria win the championship title and was honored with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament. Following that success, he joined Manchester City, where he started his professional career in Europe.

10. Victor Osimhen

Let’s take a look at the brilliance of Victor Osimhen, one of the best Nigerian soccer players. Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Osimhen has quickly become one of the top talented young strikers in the world, possessing quick speed, strong physical strength, and the ability to score great goals.

Osimhen’s rise to fame began with his outstanding performance at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he not only won the Golden Boot award but also largely contributed to winning the championship for the Nigerian national team. With his bravery and talent, Osimhen attracted the attention of top European clubs, and in 2017, he officially joined the German team Wolfsburg.

Osimhen’s appearance on the field is not only a source of pride for Nigeria but also a notable event in the global football community, and certainly, even greater successes await him in the future.

Conclusion

Above is the list of the 10 best Nigerian soccer players that we want to share with you. Nigeria has produced great football talents, through generations Nigerian players have not only shown outstanding talent on the field but also inspired and brought pride to millions of fans around the world. Their technical diversity, strength, and talent have made Nigerian football an integral part of the world football scene. With their great achievements and contributions, Nigerian players are not only the pride of their country but also symbols of impressiveness and success in international football!

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