Nigeria’s top five rated players of all time

By Mansur Abubakar

Since the formation of Nigeria’s first national football team in 1949 which was coached by the famous Fulham star' John (Jack) Finch, the country has went on to produce some of the brightest players in the history of the game. From the Christian Chukwu inspired side that landed Eagles their first African Cup of Nations trophy in 1980 to the immensely talented ‘dream team’ which took the world by storm in 1994 (many also describe it as the best of all time).

All manner of stars have adorned the green and white before going on to achieve stardom, international recognition and trophies alike, these five players are the most highly rated as far as football in Nigeria is concerned.

5 Stephen Keshi- [/b]present coach of the senior national team who apart from guiding Eagles to their third AFCON title in South Africa two years ago also enjoyed a sterling playing career with both Nigeria and a host of clubs in Europe.

A no nonsense centre back who was occasionally drafted as a holding midfielder, Keshi got his debut at the age of 17 in 1989 and went on to captain the team to both the Tunisia 94 AFCON triumph and their first FIFA World Cup, gaining over 80 caps on the way.

His record with Belgian side Anderlecht is also admirable having being part of the team that clinched the league and cup double in 1993, today Coach Keshi is one of the most decorated and recognized ex Nigerian players.

[b]4 John Obi Mikel- came to limelight during the 2005 U17 World Cup in Holland where he almost eclipsed arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi to the coveted Golden Ball due to his mesmerizing display at the tournament which made many rate him among the three most talented footballers in the world at the time.

Apart from being part of the 2013 AFCON winning side in Johannesburg, Mikel’s Eagles career can best be described as average but Chelsea FC of England is where the midfielder has really made his name, being part of the team that has won three EPL titles, four FA Cups, three League cups, UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

All that meant this list would have been incomplete without including the former Lyn Oslo player who due to his talents was at the centre of a transfer tussle between Manchester United and Chelsea in 2006. Today he is no longer a first team player in the ‘Blues’ team but will go down as one of Nigeria’s biggest exports in football.

3 Rashidi Yekini- No one is yet to break his goal scoring record for Eagles having netted 46 times in 94 appearances. Was the focal point of Clement Westerhoff’s amazing team of 1994 where he scored vital screamers that helped landed the ‘Tunisia 94’ AFCON title.
Scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at a FIFA World Cup against Bulgaria in USA with his goal net celebration stuck in the minds of millions of football lovers till date.

In Europe, Yekini didn’t disappoint either, notching up goals wherever he went to from Boavista, Vitoria Setubal to swiss side Young Boys, the Kwara born star was able to achieve high international rating and stardom during his playing days, may God bless his soul.

2 Austin Jay Jay Okocha- He remains Nigeria’s most technically gifted player till date, he was able to do things no one could do with the ball. The great Pele once said of him “Okocha is the only African player that could walk straight into the Brazil national team” what a compliment from the legendary player.

Another player from the great 1994 team, starting his career with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga (one of his goals is rated among the top three in the history of the league) by 1998 Okocha was Africa’s most expensive player when he moved from Fenerbahce to Paris Saint Germain after the World Cup.

His stint with Bolton Wanderers is still fresh in the minds of football crazy EPL fans where he mesmerized English top flight with his abundant of skills. Bolton fans just like Nigerians rates him among their best of all time having helped them avoid the drop several times not forgetting guding them to the league cup.

Nwankwo Kanu- What haven’t been said about this player, this week a pub in South London which celebrates a legendary hero every week, wrote this about their ‘man of the week’.

“ inspired Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, overcame heart bypass surgery to win numerous trophies with Arsenal including being part of the invincibles of 2004 not forgetting FA Cup win for Pompey, all hail King Kanu “ they wrote on their board

Kanu was already an Eredivise and UEFA Champions league title winner with Ajax at the age of 17 before engineering the miracle of Atlanta 1996 despite being close to death at the time. His inability to lift the AFCON is the only blip in the career of Nigeria’s most highly rated and respected player.

Mikel is there

Fair

Mikel

Didn't see my name. You are wrong.

Mikel Sha

Dat Boy tire me...

Lazy Footballer..

He should thank His god Chelsea has been shielding his incompetence...

Back to the matter... the others were Great!!!

Ok

Niger delta cum igbo dominated d list After1 come and see ma people

.

Mikel has no relevance in the list!

Mikel should be replaced with Julius Efosaa Aghahowa!

So @op for ur mind u are rating john mikel obi higher tha Vincent Enyeama abi?
Your own opinion tho

OREMUSSANCTUS:
Niger delta cum igbo dominated d list
After1 come and see ma people

Which one be Niger delta again?

The List is ok..

Tolexander:
tell me how he merits beeing on the list of 5 footballers.

For your information, mikel is Nigeria most decorated football player ever.. so stop the hate

HOW TIME fly, i remember the time wey me and john mikel obi still dey play monkey post and one touch in dos days and now we are big man in our seperate ways.

Sunday Mba

Quote me and perish at your own peril

Mikel Inclusion is debatable, but I don't have the time.

lol

Mikel misplaced priorities

Mikel?....Iranuu, abasha!

The list is ok

for mikel it was 2005 under 20 not under 17, messi was the tournament's best player, mikel was second, taye taiwo third.

Where is Yakubu Aiyegbeni

my OBI is there #TeamMikel

Mikel ke?

The list is still in accordance to an extent.


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Nice one

Yekini didn't score up to 46 goals for d National team

Modified:
I'd go for Enyeama in 4th position ahead of Mikel

Well not entirely correct

what are you basing your ratings on?

Tolexander:
Mikel has no relevance in the list!

he does,

I would prefer you revome mikel and put finidi george he also achieve more like keshi and kanu we all know what he did in ajax and fernebache and I will prefer a goal keeper on that list thanks