COUNTDOWN TO AFCON: 10 DAYS

Would it be a funny question if I ask who the greatest Nigeria Super Eagles player to wear the number 10 jersey is? I believe nearly everyone would chorus Okocha. But what if you are wrong?

What if history and stats say otherwise?

Today, we'll explore the greatest Nigerian players to wear football's most iconic jersey number; 10

📌Jay Jay Okocha
📌Etim Esin
📌John Obi Mikel
📌Henry Nwosu

🦅Etim Esin:
Nicknamed "African Maradona" because of his exceptional talent, Etim had one of the shortest period with the Super Eagles but cannot be ignored. He's seen by international media as one of the most gifted players Nigeria has ever had.

Etim made just 8 appearances for Nigeria, 6 of which were World Cup qualifiers. Etim's career was cut short because he was reportedly banned by FIFA on accusation of raping and impregnating a minor during his playing days in Belgium, something that was later proven false after the Belgian girl gave birth to a child with no trace of black blood. Despite being vindicated, the incidence, coupled with his other past discipline issues had already dented his football career badly.

Late Stephen Keshi has this to say about Etim Esin
"We had Etim Esin and relied so much on him. The team was built around him because he had so much skill and had so much to offer. So we said this is our “Diego Maradona” in Nigeria because he can do anything with the ball. It was like he was born with the ball.”

Etim's International stats are:
📌Debut: 1987
📌Position: CM
📌Appearances: 8
📌Goals: 1
📌Assists: 0
📌Trophies: 0
📌Duration with Super Eagles: 1 year

🦅Jay Jay Okocha:
If Etim Esin is known as one of the most gifted players from Nigeria, then Okocha is one of the most gifted the world of football has ever produced.

Okocha was never named after anyone like "African Pele" or "African Maradona". Okocha was simply Okocha, and that name was and still is a BIG NAME.

Okocha represented Nigeria at 4 AFCON and 3 World Cups, winning one AFCON and being included in a World Cup Best 11.

Okocha left Super Eagles as Nigeria's best dribbler, best freekick taker, best passer, and most entertaining player.

His international stats are;
📌Debut: 1994
📌Position: CM, AM
📌Appearances: 75
📌Goals: 15
📌Assists: 2
📌Trophies/Medals: 9 (1x AFCON Title, 1x AFCON Top Scorer, 2x BBC African Best, 1x Olympics Gold Medal, 1x AFCON Silver medal, 3x AFCON Bronze medal)
📌Duration with Super Eagles: 12 years (1994-2006)

🦅John Obi Mikel:
Stepping into Okocha's big and heavy shoes almost immediately was young John Mikel.

Fresh from an outstanding U-20 world cup where he was second best to Leo Messi, Mikel caused a transfer tussle between Chelsea and Manchester United before arriving at Nigeria's senior team

His arrival was highly anticipated as he had already shown his calibre at the U-20 World cup.

Mike represented Nigeria at 5 AFCON, 3 World Cup, 1 Confederations Cup, 1 Olympics, 1 U-20 World Cup and 1 U-17 World Cup.

📌Debut: 2005
📌Position: DM, CM, AM
📌Appearances: 91
📌Goals: 6
📌Assists: 12
📌Trophies/Medals: 8 - (1x AFCON, 1x Olympics Bronze, 1x U-20 World Cup silver Ball, 1x U-20 World Cup Silver medal, 3x AFCON Bronze medal, 1x CAF Most Promising Talent)
📌Duration with Super Eagles: 14 years (2005-2019)

🦅Henry Nwosu
Henry Nwosu is remembered as Nigeria's youngest player among the AFCON 1980 winning team. He represented Nigeria at 4 AFCON,

His international stats are;
📌Debut: 1980
📌Position: AM, RM
📌Appearances: 60
📌Goals: 8
📌Assists: 0
📌Trophies: (1x AFCON, 2x AFCON silver Medal)
📌Duration with Super Eagles: 11 years (1980-1991)

Between Etim, Okocha, Mikel and Nwosu, who is the greatest player to wear Nigeria's number 10 jersey?...©PBP wrote it





inkfallartsacademy.com

LIKE for Okocha, SHARE for Mikel

LIKE for Nwosu, SHARE for Etim

GanagiBitrus:
LIKE for Nwosu SHARE for Etim

Omo Henry Nwosu that year

The stats are already telling you that Okocha was and is still the greatest no 10 Nigeria ever had.

Etim Esin John: A Star that Never Shined


One of the greatest football players that God blessed Nigeria with is Etim Esin John born on the 5th of October 1966. He is a retired Nigerian international footballer. He is one of the most gifted


One of the greatest football players that God blessed Nigeria with is Etim Esin John born on the 5th of October 1966. He is a retired Nigerian international footballer. He is one of the most gifted players in the country’s football history. Esin played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Flash Flamingoes, and Calabar Rovers before moving to Belgium.

Etim Esin John was nicknamed “Maradona”, by legendary Nigerian radio commentator Ernest Okonkwo because of how skilful he was with the ball. He has represented Nigeria at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Champions and in 6 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He was left out of the team that represented Nigeria at the 1994 world cup because there was a report that he was banned by FIFA for allegedly raping a minor during his playing days with Lierse F.C.


It was however discovered that the allegation was false as the lady gave birth and the baby had no trace of African blood 25 years after. Etim Esin John started to decline when the Nigerian team were planning for a World Cup tournament to be played in Chile, the players were asked not to leave the camp but he sneaked out with two other players out of the camp.

The Fall of Etim Esin John
The great player was attacked by some armed robbers alongside the two other players, he was shot in the leg, the other players thought he even died but upon arrival to the hospital, it was discovered he is still alive. It was reported that the robbers who attacked them and shot him sent a message to the player when he was in the hospital to apologise for the attack on him.

Etim Esin John was taken to the World Cup but could not perform due to the injury from the bullet wound. Nigeria could not do anything in the tournament as the tactics of the team was built around him who was the Maradona of the team. Etim Esin went on to play in Belgium for many teams. He played for Lokeren and Lierse, but in those clubs, his hot-headedness and poor attitude made him get into a lot of trouble, which affected even his international career.

Etim Esin John
Apart from minor spats with his coaches, he got into major trouble in the 1990s when he was accused of raping and impregnating a white girl in Belgium. He escaped home from Belgium and insisted on his innocence. Although he was eventually vindicated 25-years later as the girl’s child had no traces of black blood, the stigma never went away.

His once-promising career crumbled and the accusation of a crime as heinous as rape proved too heavy for Esin to recover from. There seemed to be no way back for the stylish midfielder once fondly called ‘the African Maradona’ as he was not able to play at the highest level again until he retired.

Many argued that Jay-Jay Okocha did not play half of what Etim Esin John played, the player is still very much alive but the major lesson in his story is there for us to see and learn from. A good attitude is very important to success. Without it, even the best of talents can waste away. Village people are not always behind your troubles, your greatest enemy might just be your poor attitude.

Sangoamadioha1:
The stats are already telling you that Okocha was and is still the greatest no 10 Nigeria ever had.

If you ask me
I will say no Nigerian number 10 has lived up to his potential


1. Erin Esin was a star that never shines because of youthful exuberance and women.


Even the late Stephen Keshi, also had this to say about him: “We had Etim Esin and relied so much on him. The team was built around him because he had so much skill and had so much to offer. So we said this is our “Diego Maradona” in Nigeria because he can do anything with the ball. It was like he was born with the ball.”

A player that was first and only to be compared to Maradona in Africa.
Even Ghanaian Abedi Pele was scared of him

But he never made it



2. Okocha too played so much to the gallery and never took the world by storm as he should and so was Never recognize as he should.
Ask Ronaldinho ., he feels Okocha problem was going to play in small clubs when the world was waiting.
Till date Ronaldinho a Balondor winners still adores Okocha, who did not even win one CAF best


3. Mikel Obi was another that was supposed to take the world by storm

When he started he was at same level with Messi sharing the podium.
Man United and Chelsea were fighting for his signature.
At the U20 he shines like a million Stars

But one career move turned him to just making back pass throughout his playing days. Hmmm

The world should have seen a trilogy of Messi Ronaldo and Mikel

Austin Jay Jay Okocha all the way. He can enjoy the number until the real owner show up

robosky02:




If you ask me
I will say no Nigerian number 10 has lived up to his potential


1. Erin Esin was a star that never shines because of youthful exuberance and women.


Even the late Stephen Keshi, also had this to say about him: “We had Etim Esin and relied so much on him. The team was built around him because he had so much skill and had so much to offer. So we said this is our “Diego Maradona” in Nigeria because he can do anything with the ball. It was like he was born with the ball.”

A player that was first and only to be compared to Maradona in Africa.
Even Ghanaian Abedi Pele was scared of him

But he never made it



2. Okocha too played so much to the gallery and never took the world by storm as he should and so was Never recognize as he should.
Ask Ronaldinho ., he feels Okocha problem was going to play in small clubs when the world was waiting.
Till date Ronaldinho a Balondor winners still adores Okocha, who did not even win one CAF best


3. Mikel Obi was another that was supposed to take the world by storm

When he started he was at same level with Messi sharing the podium.
Man United and Chelsea were fighting for his signature.
At the U20 he shines like a million Stars

But one career move turned him to just making back pass throughout his playing days. Hmmm

The world should have seen a trilogy of Messi Ronaldo and Mikel

I agree with you 👍

bottlewater1:
Austin Jay Jay Okocha all the way. He can enjoy the number until the real owner show up

As it stands

Who do we have in Nigeria

With the potential of becoming the real number 10

robosky02:




If you ask me
I will say no Nigerian number 10 has lived up to his potential


1. Erin Esin was a star that never shines because of youthful exuberance and women.


Even the late Stephen Keshi, also had this to say about him: “We had Etim Esin and relied so much on him. The team was built around him because he had so much skill and had so much to offer. So we said this is our “Diego Maradona” in Nigeria because he can do anything with the ball. It was like he was born with the ball.”

A player that was first and only to be compared to Maradona in Africa.
Even Ghanaian Abedi Pele was scared of him

But he never made it



2. Okocha too played so much to the gallery and never took the world by storm as he should and so was Never recognize as he should.
Ask Ronaldinho ., he feels Okocha problem was going to play in small clubs when the world was waiting.
Till date Ronaldinho a Balondor winners still adores Okocha, who did not even win one CAF best


3. Mikel Obi was another that was supposed to take the world by storm

When he started he was at same level with Messi sharing the podium.
Man United and Chelsea were fighting for his signature.
At the U20 he shines like a million Stars

But one career move turned him to just making back pass throughout his playing days. Hmmm

The world should have seen a trilogy of Messi Ronaldo and Mikel

Mikel actually fulfilled his potential in terms of the position he played. He never had the traits to be a successful number 10 - for one, he was too big and slow, and in that position it's best to be small and agile.

The problem Mikel had was he was very good at a style of play that was not yet seen as important while he was playing. These days a player like Mikel is what most coaches would love to build their team around.

Even for Nigeria he excelled best by being the organizer from deep areas.

My dad

Na Tinubu now.

Even if you interview those players privately, they'll all choose okocha.

Nigeria is yet to get his replacement. Him and Enyama.

My dad together with your dad.
Thank you.

Yen yen yen....OP forget that long story joor....forget that thin....Ronaldinho far away from Brazil even know the answer that it's J J Okocha ! The vibes that Okocha will play self is enough to watch super eagles !

Okocha I love you so much

In fact I can dash you this ride


It's for Sale though

Fatbam005:
Na Tinubu now.

una mumu never do?

lol this is why i miss naija sometimes

SAMUEL OKWARAJI

Ok

Well,dunno if he dorned #10 but Undoubtedly Rashidi Yekini

SmartyPants:


Mikel actually fulfilled his potential in terms of the position he played. He never had the traits to be a successful number 10 - for one, he was too big a
slow, and in that position it's best to be small and agile.

The problem Mikel had was he was very good at a style of play that was not yet seen as important while he was playing. These days a player like Mikel is what most coaches would love to build their team around.

Even for Nigeria he excelled best by being the organizer from deep areas.

Do you know Mo Salah and De Bruyne were also at Chelsea at a time under Mourinho but never flourished because of the style


But as they left see thier true colours

But Mikel died while at Chelsea

Jay Jay Okocha

cescky:




una mumu never do?

lol this is why i miss naija sometimes

You dey Iragbiji, a small town in Osun state . U dey talk say you miss naija. Dey play

Okocha Jay Jay..


Who else??

The CURRENT NUMBER 10 IS THE GOAT 🐐 among them

Okocha...!

Is that even a question?!!

Greatest No10
Ibrahim badamosi Babagida
Mudafuka dribbled a whole kontry