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Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? - Sports - Nairaland

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Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 12:13am On Apr 01, 2020
This question has been on the lips of so many Nigeria's

We therefore present some notable Star's for you to decide

You can tell us your own ......

1John Obi Mikel (born 22 April 1987) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder.

Mikel began his career with local club Plateau United, before joining Norwegian club Lyn at the age of 17 in 2004. In 2006, he made a controversial transfer to English club Chelsea after Manchester United claimed they had already signed him. He stayed with Chelsea for 11 years, before moving to China with Tianjin TEDA in 2017. After two years in China, he returned to England on a short-term deal with Middlesbrough, before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in July 2019. In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, he played 88 times for Nigeria, scoring six goals.

Honours:

Chelsea: premier League: 2009–10, 2014–15
FA Cup: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12
Football League Cup: 2006–07
FA Community Shield: 2009
UEFA Champions League: 2011–12
UEFA Europa League: 2012–13
Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations: 2013
Nigeria Olympic

Summer Olympics bronze medalist: 2016
Individual

FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Ball: 2005
CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: 2005
Chelsea Young Player of the Year: 2007, 2008

Source robosky02


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Obi_Mikel

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by dawnomike(m): 12:23am On Apr 01, 2020
Jay jay remains my best... Although he didn't get to win much laurels for the country despite his talents

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 12:27am On Apr 01, 2020
Top 10 Moments in Mikel’s International Career for Nigeria
T




1. The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
John Mikel Obi, in 2005, represented the Nigeria under-20 team at the fifteenth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, where he finished the tournament as the second-best player, behind Lionel Messi, winning the Silver Ball award. Nigeria was the runner-up to Argentina, and Mikel first came to limelight in that tournament, after putting up a number of captivating performances for the team. The Championship was held between June 10 and July 2, 2005, in the Netherlands, and since then his popularity has grown both in Nigeria and on the international scene.

2.Mikel Obi moments - Under 20 World Cup
Joining the Super Eagles
Riding on the back of his dazzling display in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, a couple of months later, specifically on August 17, he debuted for the Nigeria senior team when he featured as a sub in the second half in a 1–0 friendly win over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. That was the genesis of his international career in the Super Eagles.

3.Top mikel obi moments - National Team
First Goal for Senior Team during First AFCON Campaign
After that outing, Mikel Obi did not play for the national team again before being invited for the 2006 AFCON for the first time, which was hosted by Egypt. Interestingly, he would end his career for the Super Eagles on this same Egyptian soil. In that tournament, Mikel was an unused sub in Nigeria’s first group game against the Black Stars of Ghana. But he was introduced into the 2nd game vs. Zimbabwe in the 2nd half. Within 10 minutes of joining the game, Mikel had supplied the corner, which led to Christian Obodo scoring a header (as the game’s opener), and he (Mikel) also scored the second goal for the Eagles.

4. First International Start for the Super Eagles
Still in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, he got his first international start in the last group game for Nigeria, where the team recorded a 2–1 victory over their fellow West African side, Senegal. In the following year, Mikel Obi got suspended from all Nigerian national teams when the then Super Eagles manager, Berti Vogts, excluded his name from the team’s squad that would represent the country in the AFCON qualifier against Niger. He was dropped because he failed to show up for their previous match against Uganda. Though he cited an injury, due to his failure to make himself available for an independent check by Nigerian officials, Mikel was left out of the squad. This, coupled with his refusal to join the Nigerian under-23 team, caused his suspension by the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation).

5. He Scored a Crucial Goal in a Key AFCON Game
After he tendered an apology, John Mikel Obi was invited to join the national squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which was held in Ghana. At that event, he put up a series of dazzling performances, scoring one goal and recording one assist in a crucial match against Benin, which saw the Super Eagles advance to the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, Nigeria lost that match (2–1) against the hosts, Ghana.

6. A Key Figure in Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON Winning Team
At the 2013 AFCON, held in South Africa, Mikel made valuable contributions as Nigeria won the tournament, defeating Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final to secure their third continental title. The Super Eagles then went on to represent CAF in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where he was named by CAF in the team of the tournament, in addition to 4 other teammates — Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Efe Ambrose, and Vincent Enyeama. One of the best Mikel Obi moments in the national team.


7. Mikel Obi winning the AFCON 2013
A MOTM Performance in His World Cup Debut
During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil, Mikel made his debut and earned a man of the match (MOTM) award in Nigeria’s opening match in the tournament against Iran. He was also instrumental in the Super Eagles reaching the knockout stage for the first time since the 1998 edition.

Just a video of John Mikel Obi doing Paul Pogba dirty. �

Good bye Captain! ���#SuperEagles #TBThursdaypic.twitter.com/mFBZDvx4lS

— .♛. (@theCyberNewt) July 18, 2019
8 Captain of the 2016 Olympic Team
John Obi Mikel was named in the 35-man provisional squad for Nigeria for the 2016 Summer Olympics, and he later became captain of the Olympics squad. During the tournament, on August 13, 2016, he scored a goal — his first ever in the Olympics — as Nigeria triumphed over Denmark (with a 2–0 win) to qualify for the semi-final. But they lost 2–0 to Germany.



9. Winning His First Olympic Medal
After the Super Eagles’ defeat to Germany, they won the bronze medal on becoming victorious in the third-place match against Honduras 3–2, which was played on August 20. Mikel played a crucial role in that encounter, and the whole tournament, helping Nigeria secure the bronze medal. Nigeria then became the first-ever country to secure all 3 medals at the Olympic Games: First with the 1996 squad that won the gold, then with 2008 squad that clinched the silver, and third with the 2016 bronze-winning team. One of the best Mikel Obi moments in the national team and one he is personally proud of.

10. Top mikel obi moments
Helped Nigeria Qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup
In a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Desert Warriors of Algeria, Mikel Obi scored a goal and registered an assist, as he helped his then Chelsea teammate Victor Moses score in a 3–1 victory.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 12:31am On Apr 01, 2020
2 Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Okocha (/əˈkɒtʃə/ ə-KOTCH-ə; born 14 August 1973) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. A quick and skillful playmaker, who is considered as the best Nigerian and one of the best African players of all time,[2][3] Okocha was known for his confidence with the ball, technique, creativity, and dribbling skills, as well as his use of feints, in particular the stepover.[4] Due to his skill, he was described as being 'so good that they named him twice' (a line immortalised in a terrace chant while Okocha played for Bolton Wanderers).[

Honours:

Club
Borussia Neunkirchen

Saarland Cup: 1990, 1992
Oberliga Südwest: 1991
Fenerbahçe

Prime Minister's Cup: 1998
Atatürk Cup: 1999
Paris Saint-Germain

Trophée des Champions: 1998
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001
Bolton Wanderers

Football League Cup runner-up: 2003–04
Hull City

Football League Championship play-offs: 2008
International Edit
Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations: 1994; runner up: 2000; third place: 2002, 2004, 2006
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995
Summer Olympic Games: 1996
Individual Edit
Goal of the Year (Germany): 1993[30]
Nigerian Footballer of the Year: 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; runner-up: 1996
African Footballer of the Year runner-up: 1998
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (Reserve): 1998[31]
BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2003, 2004
BBC Goal of the Month: April 2003
Premier League Player of the Month: November 2003[32]
Africa Cup of Nations Top Scorer: 2004
Africa Cup of Nations Best Player: 2004[33]
Bolton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2004 2005

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by CoronaVirusPro: 12:38am On Apr 01, 2020
Rita Dominic

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 12:43am On Apr 01, 2020
5 moments in okocha career


1. Goal against Oliver Kahn


In a 1993 Bundesliga game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Karlsruher SC, Kahn was in goal when Jay Jay scored a now famous goal.

Okocha who was a second-half substitute for Frankfurt dribbled the entire defence of Karlsruhe including the Khan several times before slotting the ball into the net to make it 3-1 for his team.

"Exactly 23 years, sensational goal from Jay-Jay Okocha. Here today – and still dizzy…" Khan wrote on his official Twitter account in last August.

Yea, we get it, it’s hard to recover from such experience.

2. Nigeria Vs Denmark in France 98

While Nigerians do not have any fond memories of this game (Super Eagles lost 4-1) many believe that this game was Okocha's auditioning for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

It was an Okocha show on that night in June at the Stade de France in France. On that night, he showcased the madness that his talent was.

Unfamiliar leg-over style, incredible flicks etc.

While the Danes were scoring against the Super Eagles, Okocha was having fun on the pitch.

A few months later he was back to that stadium in Paris Saint-Germain colours.

3. Goal against Cameroon in the final of 2000 AFCON


It was 2000 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final at the National Stadium in Lagos and Nigeria were two goals down to Cameroon in the 31st minute.

The Super Eagles were being outplayed and outmuscled by the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at their own backyard. They scored a goal late in the first half and just two minutes into the second period, Okocha controlled a ball and refiled a fierce shot outside the penalty area into the back of the net.

It was simply stunning and remains one of the best goals in an AFCON final.

4. Stunning goal for Bolton against West Ham in April 2003

Many would argue that Okocha played his best football at Bolton Wanderers. Although always talented with a twinkle feet almost impossible to catch, Okocha never achieved anything in club football.

At Bolton, his showboating was curtailed into more purposeful style of play.

In a game against fellow relegation battlers West Ham in 2003, Okocha scored a screamer in the 1-0 win for Bolton Wanderers. It was a very vital goal which gave Bolton all the three points to save them from the drop.

5. Free-kick goal against Cameroon in 2004

Now a more responsible player, Okocha led the Super Eagles to the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. In the quarter-final against arch rivals Cameroon, the then Super Eagles No 10 curled a fantastic free-kick into the back of the net to level the scores.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 12:53am On Apr 01, 2020
3. KANU Nwankwo


Nwankwo Kanu OON (born 1 August 1976) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was a member of the Nigerian national team. Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria,[4] and a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group.[5] Nwankwo means "Child born on Nkwo market day" in the Igbo language.[6]

Nwankwo Kanu
1 nwankwo kanu 2017 (edited).jpg
Kanu in a friendly in 2017
Personal information
Full name
Nwankwo Kanu[1]
Date of birth
1 August 1976 (age 43)[2]
Place of birth
Owerri, Nigeria
Height
1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)[3]
Playing position(s)
Forward[2]
Senior career*
Years
Team
Apps
(Gls)
1992–1993
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
25
(15)
1993–1996
Ajax
54
(25)
1996–1999
Inter Milan
12
(1)
1999–2004
Arsenal
119
(30)
2004–2006
West Bromwich Albion
53
(7)
2006–2012
Portsmouth
143
(20)
Total
404
(108)
National team
1993
Nigeria U17
6
(5)
1996
Nigeria U23
6
(3)
1994–2011
Nigeria
87
(12)
Honours
Men's Football
Representing Nigeria
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Team Competition
Africa Cup of Nations
Runner-up 2000 Ghana-Nigeria
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Winner 1993 Japan
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Kanu played for Nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

Kanu won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.[8] He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times, and is regarded as one of the best players in African football history.

He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes. He is also the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet Sports Television which position to be the first indigenous sports TV in Nigeria,[13] Kanu Sports



Iwuanyanwu Nationale

Nigerian Premier League: 1992–93[49]
Ajax

Eredivisie: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96[49]
UEFA Champions League: 1994–95[49]
UEFA Super Cup: 1995[49]
Intercontinental Cup: 1995[49]
Inter Milan

UEFA Cup: 1997–98[49]
Arsenal

Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04[3]
FA Cup: 2001–02,[50] 2002–03;[51] runner-up: 2000–01[52]
FA Charity Shield: 1999[53]
UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999–2000[54]
Portsmouth

FA Cup: 2007–08[55]
Nigeria U17

FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1993[49]
Nigeria U23

Olympic Gold Medal: 1996[49]
Nigeria

Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995[citation needed]
African Cup of Nations runner-up: 2000[56]
Individual

African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999[57]
BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999
FA Cup Final Man of the Match: 2008

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by OsewaBoy: 4:36am On Apr 01, 2020
[s]
CoronaVirusPro:
Rita Dominic
[/s]

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by gibzzhd: 7:04am On Apr 01, 2020
kanu of cos

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 7:25am On Apr 01, 2020
Ten Key Moments That Made Nwankwo Kanu A Living Legend
Nwankwo Kanu mesmerized the world for two decades, playing at the very top of world football and winning some of the most coveted trophies in the game.

He was picked up as a raw, baby-faced talent on the streets of Nigeria where he kicked football around with kids his age.

Who would have imagined that that little, long legged boy would go on to be regarded as one of the greatest African footballers ever, winning laurels, honour and recognition that was only bettered by a few.

But how did Kanu turn from just a lanky lad to a living legend?

His footballing career, with its countless twists and turns, could have taken many directions most of which would have led him to oblivion. But he somehow survived the horrors, overcame the challenges, made the correct decisions and produced eye-catching magic at just the right moments.






Kanu's Key Moment #10:
Kanu at the U-17 World Cup

Image Credits: FIFA.com

Nigeria’s all-conquering Golden Eaglets arrived Japan in 1993 for the FIFA U17 World Cup as one of the two qualifiers from Africa, the other being Ghana. But after their first match in which they humiliated Canada 8-0, they quickly became the bookmaker’s favourites to lift the trophy.

The Eaglets didn’t disappoint. They didn’t drop any point nor lose any game as they romp to the final to face West African brothers, Ghana. The Starlets were downed as well, as the young Nigerians triumphed by two goals to one.

Kanu had been instrumental to the team’s beautiful displays, attracting rave reviews for his skill on the ball and his movement off it.

New star names came up in that tournament.

Wilson Oruma, Karibe Ojigwe, Celestine Babayaro, Philip Osondu went on to enjoy modest careers with club and country. But it was Kanu whose name would reverberate the most across Europe and throughout Africa.

Kanu ended the tournament with five goals and five assists, a proud return.

A star was born.

Kanu's Key Moment #9:
Kanu conquers all with Ajax

After helping Nigeria to a champion’s trophy at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Japan, Nwankwo Kanu moved to Ajax in the Netherlands.

Nwankwo Kanu had received offers from many other clubs in Europe but Kanu had wisely opted for the Dutch giants. Ajax had a reputation for giving opportunities to talented young ones, grooming them to world class footballers.

Kanu was in the best place for his development. He could have easily earned more money elsewhere but he chose to continue his footballing education. It was a decision he would not regret.

25 goals and 54 appearances later Kanu was a UEFA Champions League and three-time Dutch League winner with Ajax. He had become an important player in a very successful young team.

The former Eaglet star had improved his touch, was more composed in front of goal, knew his role in a team set up, had improved his decision making and his final balls, could read the game better and still retained his guile, trickery and skills on the ball.

Kanu was not yet the finished product but he was frighteningly getting pretty close.

Kanu's Key Moment #8:
Heroic moment at the Olympics
The Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 came at a key moment in Nwankwo Kanu’s career. It was time to show that he could replicate club performances for country.

In a Dream Team that had World Cup heroes Daniel Amokachi, Uche Okechukwu and Emmanuel Amuneke as well as ex-Eaglets skipper Wilson Oruma, Nwankwo Kanu was handed the captain’s band. It was time to deliver.

And, boy, did he deliver!

With Nigeria facing defeat in their semi-final game against favourites Brazil, Kanu scored a memorable equaliser to bring the score level at 3-3 and drag the game into extra time.

Minutes later, the captain whipped in a delightful golden goal past Dida in Brazil’s goal from the edge of the box to secure victory for the Dream Team and send it into the final where they defeated Argentina 3-2 to win Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal.

It was Nigeria’s most beautiful footballing moment and Nwankwo Kanu had been the undisputed catalyst. His name would forever be woven into Nigeria’s footballing folklores.

The star had finally arrived. And his legend had begun.

Kanu's Key Moment #7:
Star struck

After that Olympic victory, great things were expected of the Nation’s newest hero. Kanu was recognised by CAF as Africa’s Best Player in 1996 and everything seemed to be falling in to place for the Enugu-born striker.

Then Kanu moved to Inter from Ajax and nothing just could go wrong against the golden boy. He was ready for the big leagues and the huge pay checks.

Then tragedy struck, even before he had kicked a ball in Italy.

At Internazionale, Kanu was discovered to have a heart defect while undergoing medicals. It was a situation that shocked the entire nation and continent. Suddenly, the golden boy looked like he was going to have his life and career cut short.

The initial diagnosis was saddening, Kanu’s condition required surgery and he may never play football again and that is even if he didn’t lose his life. Messages of hope and love were sent his way. Prayers were said for him.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful and Kanu recovered remarkably. He had battled death and won, his fighting spirit helping him out. Against all odds, Kanu returned to the field of play.

Kanu's Key Moment #6:
A season of second chances

After his surgery, Kanu was just glad to be cleared to play football again.

But Inter were not ready to risk too much. During a three year stay at the Italian giants, Nwankwo Kanu only managed 12 league appearances. His Italian experience had not gone as he would have wished.

He needed a fresh start. A second chance. And that was what Arsene Wenger offered him.

In 1999, Kanu moved to the English Premier League (EPL) where he became Arsenal’s first African signing.

In those days only a few people in Nigeria watched English football. It was regarded as static and boring.

But the lanky Nigerian killed that notion with his performances. In no time, he began to recruit a large following for the Gunners that still stands to this day.

Kanu's Key Moment #5:
An African becomes Arsenal’s Hero

It didn’t take long before Papillo warmed himself into the hearts of Arsenal fans. They loved his little flicks, his deft dribbles, his impact from the bench and the skills that even Arsene Wenger exclaimed could not be coached.

But one match cemented Kanu’s name in Arsenal’s history forever.

It was a game against Arsenal’s bitter rivals, Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge. With Arsenal already two goals down and facing defeat, Wenger played his ace card from the bench and brought Kanu into the fray.

Papillo grabbed the game by its scruff and didn’t release it until he had notched a hat-trick to give the Gunners a 3-2 win over their bitter city rivals.

The highlight of the match was the ease and talent with which Kanu waltzed past the Blues goalkeeper and defenders before striking the ball into the top corner from an impossible angle for his third goal.

His once-dying career was back on track.

Kanu's Key Moment #4:
The Vision that became the Heart Foundation

In 1996, Kanu was diagnosed with a hole in his heart.

The condition was discovered during a routine medical check. It could have been missed and Kanu could have dropped dead unannounced while on the football pitch. Quite a few footballers had died of heart issues without even knowing it.

Kanu needed heart surgery and he needed it fast.

Before 1996, only a few people had ever survived heart surgery and it cost a fortune to get the operation done. But Nwankwo Kanu beat death to the game.

After his successful heart surgery, Kanu moved to set up the Kanu Heart Foundation, a non-governmental organisation with the overriding objective of helping many Africans to get access to medical care.

Football gave him his life back. And he positioned himself to help save others with the same heart condition.

It was unprecedented.

The stuff legends are made of.

Kanu's Key Moment #3:
Nwankwo Kanu becomes an Arsenal legend
Kanu’s stay at Arsenal was his most productive since he left Ajax.

In five seasons in North London, he won two Premier League and two FA Cup titles and was part of the ‘Invincibles’ who went the whole 2003-04 season without losing a game. For a man who was so close to dying, that was some turn around.

In all he played 197 games for Arsenal (nearly half of them as a substitute), scoring 44 goals.

In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll by Arsenal fans. It was a show of their recognition of his contributions to the Londoners’ cause in his time there.

Kanu's Key Moment #2:
Nwankwo Kanu Becomes an English football legend

Nwankwo Kanu’s two FA Cup titles won with Arsenal had already lifted him into the elite group of players who could boast the winner’s medal on their chest.

Even fewer had won the world’s oldest club competition with two different teams.

When Kanu’s time in London was done, he moved to Portsmouth and his seemingly tiring legs were rejuvenated and he rediscovered his goal-scoring touch.

Scoring key goals, Kanu helped the Seasiders to an FA Cup title in 2008, his third FA Cup winner’s medal in England.

His winning goal for Portsmouth in the final against Cardiff City effectively sealed his legend in English football.



Kanu's Key Moment #1:
Africa’s finest

Before Samuel Eto’o won the accolades off him, Nwankwo Kanu was the most decorated African player ever. He had won league titles in three different countries, the UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.

Kanu also played at three FIFA World Cups and appeared at five CAF African Nations Cups.

Although, he never found the back of the net in any of those tournaments and is one of several African greats who never won the African Championships, Nwankwo Kanu was instrumental in helping Nigeria earn silver and bronze honours at the continental Championship and a respectable second round finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year twice, the first in 1996 and then in 1999.

No one would ever question his fighting spirit. Or belittle his footballing achievements.

Or doubt his legend.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 8:15am On Apr 01, 2020
4. Patrick Olusegun Odegbami

Was born on August 27, 1952 in Lagos, Nigeria to Jacob Adebola Odegbami (1911-2003) and Beatrice Bintu Abeke Odegbami (née Olotu) (1921-2018), one of their seven children.[3] His father was an older half-brother of Nigerian author Amos Tutuola. Odegbami was brought up in the northern city of Jos, Plateau State along with many other members of his extended family. [4]

Career
He won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the National Team, and guided Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament in his homeland. Nicknamed Mathematical, he was famous for his skill on the ball, speed and precision of his crosses from the right wing. He played for IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan his entire career, from 1970 to 1984. His last game was the 1984 African Champions Cup final defeat to Zamalek of Egypt. The original source of the nickname "Mathematical" was because Segun Odegbami attended and graduated from Nigeria's premier technical institution; The Polytechnic, Ibadan where he studied Engineering.

His 2 other brothers were also involved with football at other levels. His older brother Dele Odegbami played football in the old Western Region for his school (Ebenezer Grammar School, Abeokuta), the West Academicals, his university, UNN Nsukka, and briefly for Stationery Stores football club of Lagos.[5] His other brother, Wole Odegbami, is also a former national team player, playing on the Nigerian national team for 11 years. He is currently a columnist in Nigeria.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Astark: 8:16am On Apr 01, 2020
What I know is okocha is the most overrated African player of all time

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 8:18am On Apr 01, 2020
Astark:
What I know is okocha is the most overrated African player of all time


You don't mean it?

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Astark: 8:21am On Apr 01, 2020
robosky02:



You don't mean it?
that guy is the most overrated player I've ever seen even more overrated than maradona.

The guy just did done flicks and showboating and Nigerians now considered him as the best even many Nigerians still believe he's better and greater than Messi and Ronalddinho.

His greatest achievement is the goal against Oliver Khan which is barely above average.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Jokerman(m): 8:37am On Apr 01, 2020
Astark:
that guy is the most overrated player I've ever seen even more overrated than maradona.

The guy just did done flicks and showboating and Nigerians now considered him as the best even many Nigerians still believe he's better and greater than Messi and Ronalddinho.

His greatest achievement is the goal against Oliver Khan which is barely above average.

Okocha overrated??
Maradona overrated??

You see why people always attack you Messi indomie fans...

You think if Messi and Ronaldo played football in the time of such players, they'd have up to 5 ballondors??

For you to call maradona overrated shows the kind of person you Messi fans are, only Messi isn't overrated... A maradona that lifted a Napoli to league titles winning best player and golden boot along the way... A maradona that put Argentina on the football map?

Alright Messi is the only non overrated player in the world

Okocha overrated? Really??
A master of midfield that carried a dead Bolton team playing with unskilled players like Davies and Jameel etc??
A midfield maestro that combined skills with dribbles even inventing his own step overs.. A great passer of the ball, freekicks, shoot technique... Really?

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Jokerman(m): 8:40am On Apr 01, 2020
Acheivements wise,in terms of what we won

1. Nwankwo Kanu (won Africa best player twice)

2. Mikel Obi

3. Emmanuel Amuneke

In terms of talents

1. Jay Jay okocha

2. Nwankwo Kanu

3. Rashidi Yekini

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Astark: 8:47am On Apr 01, 2020
Jokerman:


Okocha overrated??
Maradona overrated??

You see why people always attack you Messi indomie fans...

You think if Messi and Ronaldo played football in the time of such players, they'd have up to 5 ballondors??

For you to call maradona overrated shows the kind of person you Messi fans are, only Messi isn't overrated... A maradona that lifted a Napoli to league titles winning best player and golden boot along the way... A maradona that put Argentina on the football map?

Alright Messi is the only non overrated player in the world

Okocha overrated? Really??
A master of midfield that carried a dead Bolton team playing with unskilled players like Davies and Jameel etc??
A midfield maestro that combined skills with dribbles even inventing his own step overs.. A great passer of the ball, freekicks, shoot technique... Really?
overrated doesn't mean they aren't good but their fans constantly comparing them to someone greater is what I mean by overrated.

If you ask an average Nigerian who is better between kanu and okocha most of them will mention okocho even though he never won anything personally significant and he is only known for his dribbles.

You didn't have to bring Messi to this, the reason I called maradona overrated is because his fans think of him as s God while in fact he's a fraud.

He played 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals; for Argentina he played 91 games and scored 34 goals.

He won a world cup by cheating and if they were var during his era he would have been called a fraud and laughed out

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Astark: 8:47am On Apr 01, 2020
Jokerman:
Acheivements wise,in terms of what we won

1. Nwankwo Kanu (won Africa best player twice)

2. Mikel Obi

3. Emmanuel Amuneke

In terms of talents

1. Jay Jay okocha

2. Nwankwo Kanu

3. Rashidi Yekini
so in your opinion is the best best between them?

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 9:01am On Apr 01, 2020
Rashidi Yekini (23 October 1963 – 4 May 2012) was a Nigerian footballer who played as a stri
58
(37)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
His professional career, which spanned more than two decades, was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal, but he also played in six other countries besides his own.

Yekini scored 37 goals as a Nigerian international, and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the country's first-ever goal in the competition. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.





Scoring 37 goals for Nigeria in 58 appearances,[9] Yekini was the national record goalscorer. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994 (where he netted Nigeria's first-ever goal in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria, his celebration after scoring, crying while holding the goal's net, became one of the iconic images of the tournament[10]) and the 1994 FIFA World Cups.

Additionally, Yekini helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia where he also topped the goal charts and was named best player of the competition.[11] He also participated at Olympic level in Seoul 1988.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Homers123(m): 9:02am On Apr 01, 2020
Astark:
overrated doesn't mean they aren't good but their fans constantly comparing them to someone greater is what I mean by overrated.

If you ask an average Nigerian who is better between kanu and okocha most of them will mention okocho even though he never won anything personally significant and he is only known for his dribbles.

You didn't have to bring Messi to this, the reason I called maradona overrated is because his fans think of him as s God while in fact he's a fraud.

He played 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals; for Argentina he played 91 games and scored 34 goals.

He won a world cup by cheating and if they were var during his era he would have been called a fraud and laughed out
nigggar, go for proper mental evaluation.

18 Likes

Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 9:12am On Apr 01, 2020
moment of yekini career


5.PORTUGUESE GOAL KING 1992/1993

The 1992/93 season was one to remember for Yekini as he bagged an outstanding 34 goals in 32 games for his modest Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal. Yekini finished as the top league scorer that year, which ultimately led to him being crowned the 1993 African Footballer of the Year. Indeed, Rashidi was the first Nigerian to get the coveted crown- opening the way for such stars as Emmanuel Amuneke, Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba to win the award in subsequent years.

4. DOUBLE DENIES LEOPARDS

At the 1994 African Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles faced a tough battle against the Leopards of Congo DR (then known as Zaire). It was billed as one of the toughest games Nigeria would face at the tournament. The Super Eagles faced the same opponents two years earlier in Sengeal ‘92 at the same stage of the competition with Nigeria only managing a hard fought 1: 0 win. But when the chips were down, up stepped Yekini with two goals (one from the spot) to ease our passage to the last four of the tournament.



3 ROUNDING OFF IN STYLE

At the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria was one of the favourites to win the competition. Unfortunately, the Super Eagles lost to their eternal rivals, Ghana’s Black Stars in the semi finals. It was a sad day here in the country. So when the team faced Cameroun in the 3rd place match, all Nigerian fans wanted was at least the bronze medal to ease their pain. With the game tied at 1:1, there again was Yekini who raced onto an Etim Esin through ball, rounded the Cameroonian goalkeeper and scored the winner. Pure bliss!

2 DECIDING AN EPIC

The best game ever to be played in an Africa Cup of Nations was the 1994 semi finals between Nigeria and Ivory Coast. The Elephants scored first and Nigeria’s Ben Iroha equalized. Yet again, Ivory Coast went ahead but Rashidi Yekini was again on hand to tap in a Finidi George’s cross to level scores. But after 120 minutes and no other goal,r the game went to penalties. Up stepped Rashidi with the last spot kick. His thunderous strike gave the Ivorian goalkeeper Alain Guamane no chance at all with the Super Eagles winning the epic clash by 4:2.

1 DANCING WITH THE NET

Of course it just had to be this one. Nigeria was playing Bulgaria in her first ever game at the USA 1994World Cup. A World Cup participation made possible thanks to important goals from Yekini in the qualifiers. But the goal legend saved his most important for the competition proper. Rashidi tapped in Finidi’s cross to score the country’s first ever goal in the competition. And in sheer ecstasy, Yekini grabbed the net, raising his hands up and screaming for joy. That sight was one of the best highlights of the 1994 World Cup and will forever live in my memory.

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 9:19am On Apr 01, 2020
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (23 January 1962 – 7 June 2016) was a Nigerian football defender and manager.

During his playing career, Keshi earned 60 caps for the Nigerian national football team, making him the nation's second-most capped player at the time of his retirement. He represented the country at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, captaining the Super Eagles to victory in the latter. He also played club football in five countries, most notably Belgium, where he won the Belgian league championship with R.S.C. Anderlecht in 1991.[3]

As a manager, Keshi achieved success by qualifying Togo for the only FIFA World Cup appearance in its history in 2006.[4] However, he left the position prior to the tournament and was replaced by Otto Pfister. He later coached his native Nigeria, where he became one of only two people, along with Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.




Player Edit
Club
New Nigeria Bank FC

West African Club Championship (2): 1983, 1984
Stade d'Abidjan

Coupe Houphoet Boigny (2): 1985, 1986
Africa Sports

Côte d'Ivoire Premier Division (1): 1986
Côte d'Ivoire Coupe (1): 1986
Anderlecht

Belgian Cup (2): 1988, 1989
Jupiler League (1): 1991
International
Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations (1): 1994
Manager Edit
International
Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations (1): 2013




https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Keshi

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Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by robosky02(m): 9:25am On Apr 01, 2020
The five most memorable career moments of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi.



Keshi who won the African Cup of Nations twice-as a player and a coach-

Pulse Sports take a look at the five most memorable moments of his career

1. Super Eagles debut

'The Big Boss', as he was fondly called, made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in 1981 at age 20 and the central defender retired in 1994 after picking up 64 caps and scoring nine goal.

2. African Cup of Nations win as a captain

Stephen Keshi was the captain of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. The former defender led the defence as Nigeria conceded just three goals on the path to victory.

3. Qualified Togo for first ever World Cup

Keshi was coach of the Togo national football team from 2004 and 2006, during which time he surprisingly guided them to their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance in Germany 2006, the first ever Nigerian coach to achieve that feat.

4. AFCON win as Super Eagles coach

Keshi was appointed coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 2011 and led the country to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

He became only the second person-first was Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary- to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and coach.

5. CAF Coach of the Year

Coach Stephen Keshi was declared African Coach of the Year of 2014 at the GLO-CAF awards that held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

10 Likes

Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Jokerman(m): 10:36am On Apr 01, 2020
Astark:
overrated doesn't mean they aren't good but their fans constantly comparing them to someone greater is what I mean by overrated.

If you ask an average Nigerian who is better between kanu and okocha most of them will mention okocho even though he never won anything personally significant and he is only known for his dribbles.

You didn't have to bring Messi to this, the reason I called maradona overrated is because his fans think of him as s God while in fact he's a fraud.

He played 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals; for Argentina he played 91 games and scored 34 goals.

He won a world cup by cheating and if they were var during his era he would have been called a fraud and laughed out

Lol... Maradona a fraud??

Someone that raised a dead Napoli?

Someone that won world cup golden ball??

Someone who wasn't a forward and still scored that amount of goals??

24 Likes

Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by chiefololade: 11:05am On Apr 01, 2020
,
Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by Factfinder1(m): 11:05am On Apr 01, 2020
Timaya
Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by ValCon888: 11:05am On Apr 01, 2020
Raahidi Yekini
Most Ballon D'Or winners are strikers because goals win games. And Rashidi Yekini remains the greatest striker Nigeria has ever had.
If you want to argue, argue with yourself.

59 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by superamoled: 11:06am On Apr 01, 2020
Papilo
Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by NameChecker: 11:06am On Apr 01, 2020
hmmm
Re: Who Is Really Nigeria's Greatest Footballer? by madridguy(m): 11:06am On Apr 01, 2020
grin

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