5 of the greatest Nigerians to grace European football

John Obi Mikel in action for Chelsea Football Club

Nigeria has proven to be a birthplace of exciting footballing talent for several decades now. Over the years, the Super Eagles have been represented by immensely talented players who inevitably found their way to European arenas.

Some of these players were extremely influential and even went on to lift major titles with their respective European clubs. These famous stars have been a large source of inspiration for multitudes of not just Nigerian youngsters, but youngsters all over the world, aspiring to make it through the ranks.

In this article, we take a look at arguably the top 5 Nigerian footballers who made their mark in Europe.


#5 John Obi Mikel

Captain of the current Nigerian football team, John Obi Mikel now plays as a midfielder for Chinese club, Tianjin TEDA. However, his illustrious career saw him make a controversial move to Chelsea in 2006, aged just 19. He went on to represent the Blues for the next decade until he was released in November 2016.

His 10-year career in England saw him lift 11 trophies which include two Premier League titles and four FA Cup titles which helped cement Chelsea’s spot in the top echelons of European football. Mikel was managed by a number of managers, most of which made glowing remarks about him.

He is a genius in his position. It is a miracle if he loses the ball,” said Jose Mourinho about his young Nigerian star back in 2007.

Mikel was a crucial cog in the Chelsea midfield that evolved into a menacing unit. He displayed immense stamina and a praiseworthy work ethic which made him a household name amongst Chelsea stakeholders and supporters alike.

#4 Vincent Enyeama

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JUNE 30: Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria at Estadio Nacional on June 30, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil.  (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old has made 118 appearances for Lille till date

Vincent Enyeama is a former Nigerian football captain and goalkeeper who plays for French side Lille. His career began at the young age of just nine when he signed for Ibom Stars. His career saw him play for a number of clubs around the world, with Lille being the most notable.

Known to be clinical at saving and scoring penalties, the former Nigerian skipper moved to Lille in 2011 for an undisclosed amount on a three-year contract. He made his debut against Inter Milan in 2012 UEFA Champions League. He was subsequently loaned out to Maccabi Tel Aviv for the 2012-13 season.

The 2013-14 season saw him make a return to Lille after being favoured as first team stopper by the then manager Rene Girard. He went on to keep 11 consecutive clean-sheets in Ligue 1, ultimately conceding his first goal after a mighty 1,062 minutes of play time.

The 34-year-old has made 118 appearances for Lille till date and is considered one of the finest Nigerian players of all time.

#3 Finidi George

1995:  Finidi George of Aiax is stopped by the Milan defence during the Champions League at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Ajax won the game 2-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
Finidi George in action for Ajax against AC Milan

Finidi George is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a right winger for many clubs over several years. He effectively established himself at Ajax after moving to the Dutch club from Nigeria, in 1993. He played alongside fellow Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu, helping the Dutch side win the Eredivisie title in his very first season.

He stayed at Ajax till 1996, making a total of 85 appearances, scoring 18 times. At Ajax, he won three league titles and the UEFA Champions League in the 1994-95 season.

The winger then moved to Spain in 1996 to play for Spanish side Real Betis, where he attained his peak, scoring a total of 38 goals from 130 appearances. George spent four years in Spain, scoring in double digits in almost every season.

The 1999-00 league saw Betis get relegated, prompting the Nigerian’s departure to another Spanish side, RCD Mallorca for a year, before moving to English side Ipswich Town F.C. for three years before they too got relegated.

George then moved back to his former side, Betis, for a lone season before retiring in the summer of 2004. In 2010, he returned once again to Betis, to take up the post of Director of International Football.

#2 Nwankwo Kanu

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22:  Nwankwo Kanu of Nigeria runs with the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Nigeria and South Korea at Durban Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Kanu was a part of the “Invincibles” squad which finished the 2003-04 season undefeated

Kanu is a retired Nigerian professional football player and captain who played as a forward for a number of European clubs. He moved to Europe in 1993 at the age of 17, when he was signed by Ajax. He gave incredible returns with the Dutch side, scoring 25 goals in 54 appearances.

In 1996, he was sold to Serie A side Inter Milan where he missed a season due to a serious heart defect and subsequent surgery.

He then began the next chapter of his career, moving to English side Arsenal. Featuring in 119 games, he scored 37 times and was thoroughly adored by fans and the management.

Kanu was a part of the “Invincibles” squad which finished the 2003-04 season undefeated. The 6’6” striker spent a decade at Arsenal before moving to ‘smaller’ English clubs West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth where he played for a total of eight long years, making a combined 199 appearances, scoring an aggregate of 29 goals.

In 2012, Kanu decided to leave Portsmouth after a wage-related controversy. Kanu is widely regarded as one of the best Nigerian players of all time and even led the Eagles for 16 long years from 1994 to 2010.

#1 Jay-Jay Okocha

21 Nov 2000:  Augustine Okocha of Paris is watched by a Deportivo La Coruna defender during the Champions League Group B match between Paris St Germain v Deportivo La Coruna at Parc des Princes, Paris, France. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster/ALLSPORT
Okocha is one of Nigeria’s most loved footballers of all time

Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha, who played as an attacking midfielder, is widely regarded as not just the best Nigerian player, but the best African player of all time. Famous for his creativity and dribbling skills, Okocha was a master of the step-over.

Jay-Jay enjoyed a respectful career which was spread over several European nations such as Germany, England and France. He spent 6 years in Germany, appearing 35 times for Borussia Neunkirchen and 90 times for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 16 and 30 goals for them respectively.

He then moved to France and appeared 84 times for Paris Saint-German where he scored 23 goals.

In 2002, a move to Bolton Wanderers saw him spend four years in England, appearing 124 times and scoring 14. He then moved to Qatar for a year before moving back to England to play for Hull City where he eventually ended his career.

Okocha is one of Nigeria’s most loved footballers of all time and is now keen on becoming the president of the Nigeria Football Federation.


Honourable Mentions

Moses returned to Chelsea and helped them lift the Premier League trophy in the 2016-17 season

Here are a few names that didn’t make our list, but are undoubtedly huge names that came from Nigeria to go on to achieve great feats with European clubs:

Sunday Oliseh

Sunday Ogorchukwu is a Nigerian football manager and former player. In his time, the Nigerian played for a plethora of European clubs like Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund amongst others. He was a defensive midfielder who played a total of 321 matches in his club career. He is currently the coach of Dutch side Fortuna Sittard.

Victor Moses

Moses is a young, active Nigerian talent who plies his trade for English league champions Chelsea as a wing-back. Before moving to the Blues, Moses spent three years at Crystal Palace and two years at Wigan Athletic before he was bought by Chelsea and subsequently loaned out to Liverpool, West Ham United and Stoke City for a season apiece.

He then returned to Chelsea and helped them lift the Premier League trophy in the 2016-17 season.

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Edited by Staff Editor