The Nigerian national team has had a history of producing world-class midfielders. Our beautiful nation has poured out so many great players in this position that it is hard to pick just five.
However, here are the top 5 midfielders who have ever played for Super Eagles:
1. Austin Jay Jay Okocha
Austin Jay Jay Okocha is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a midfielder. There is no disputing that Okocha is one of the greatest African players of all time.
Okocha was known for his dribbling skills and his ability to conjure magical moments of pure class. So good was Okocha in his heydays that punters will flock to 1xbet app Nigeria to bet on Okocha’s team winning their fixtures.
Notably, Okocha played for several top clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bolton Wanderers.
He also had a successful international career, representing Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Overall, Okocha had a great career as a footballer, which makes him one of the greatest midfielders not only in the history of Nigeria but in the world as well.
2. Segun Odegbami
Segun Odegbami featured prominently in the legendary Super Eagles team that bagged the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980. He was also a member of the team that won the Olympic gold medal in football in 1996.
Odegbami played club football for IICC Shooting Stars and New Nigeria Bank FC. He was known for his pace and dribbling ability. Going forward, he was nicknamed “The Mathematical” because of his intelligent style of play. All these traits make him one of the top midfielders ever to grace the Super Eagles team.
After retiring from football, Odegbami became a coach. He has also worked as a television pundit and as an author.
3. Sunday Oliseh
Sunday Oliseh is a respected former Nigerian international who played as a midfielder. He was a member of the Nigerian national team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and the Olympic gold medal in 1996.
He also played for Ajax, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund during his club career.
Oliseh was known for his powerful shooting, accurate passing, and aggressive tackling. He was a box-to-box midfielder who could also contribute defensively.
Going forward, Oliseh was named African Footballer of the Year in 1997 and was included in the African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament in 2000.
Oliseh retired from football in 2006 after a series of unfortunate injuries that limited his playing time. However, he is considered one of the greatest midfielders to ever play for Nigeria.
His skillful play, combined with his leadership qualities, made him an essential player for the Super Eagles.
4. Mutiu Adepoju
Mutiu Adepoju, nicknamed “The Headmaster” due to his ability to control the midfield, is reputed as one of the best midfielders to ever play for the Super Eagles. He was a key member of the Nigerian team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations, and he also played a key role in Nigeria’s victory at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Adepoju was known for his tireless work ethic and exceptional passing ability. He was an expert at reading the game and always seemed to be one step ahead of his opponents.
Adepoju was also a talented goalscorer, and he scored some important goals for the Super Eagles throughout his career.
5. Kanu Nwankwo
Of course, you stand to have your patriotism (as a Nigerian) questioned if you don’t know Kanu Nwankwo.
Popularly called “Papilo”, Kanu played a vital role in the Super Eagles team, as well as Arsenal, where he is considered a club legend.
He was born in Owerri, Nigeria in 1976 and started his career playing for various local clubs before being signed by Dutch club Ajax in 1993.
Kanu moved to Arsenal in 1999 and went on to score some of the most important goals in the club’s history, including the winning goal in the 2002 FA Cup Final against Chelsea. He also played a key role in helping Nigeria win the Olympic gold medal in football at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kanu retired from international football in 2010, having scored 13 goals in 86 appearances for the Super Eagles. During his time as a footballer, he was also named African Footballer of the Year twice, in 1996 and 1999.
Rounding things up, The Super Eagles have had some incredible midfielders over the years, and it was tough to narrow it down to just five.
However, these five players have truly stood out above the rest and have left their mark on Nigerian football history. They thrilled us during their days and left their honorable marks on Nigerian football.
