Nigeria has been home to some of the finest footballers Africa has ever seen, the state’s system of producing footballers date back to the early 1930’s where random games and amateur leagues were common. In the late 80’s through to 1996, under the management of Clemens Westerhof, Nigerian football took a turn for the best in the way they operated in producing players and conducting footballing activities.
The philosophy of producing and unearthing young talent is a meticulous process completed over an extended period of time. The Nigerian Football Federation introduced camps, drills and standard health manuals for young players to adhere too.
On the international stage, the national team made their first-ever appearance in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. However, an agonising late goal from Italian great Roberto Baggio sent the Super Eagles home, narrowly missing out on the quarters and crashing out of the World Cup in the round of 16.
The Nigerian Football Federation, impressed with the display of the national team on the grandest stage of them all, the World Cup, continued their pursuit to help Nigeria build a strong foundation for young players to come through.
Indeed they did, as Nigeria’s U-23 side won the gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta just two years following their exit in the round of 16 in the 1994 USA World Cup.
Nigeria has gone on to appear in five of the six World Cups since 1994, and has continued to produce players of the highest calibre going on to compete in top leagues around the world.
We take a look at five of the best current U-23 Nigerian players in the world.
#5 Isaac Success
The 20-year-old Nigerian forward was Watford’s record signing from Granada for £12.5m, by new manager Walter Mazzarri earlier this summer. The club signed the youngster to a five-year deal with the club.
Mazzarri, an experienced manager in the game, is confident of Success’s ability to cope with the pressures of the English’s game and perform at the highest level week in week out, and said that it will take some time for Success to adapt and settle into his new surroundings.
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The Nigerian had made a single appearance in the Premier League so far this campaign, coming off the bench to score a goal.
The young forward has bags of pace and potential to cause defences all sorts of problems. With Deeney and Ighalo to learn from, Success’s development as a player is going to improve by leaps and bounds making him a player to look out for in the future.
#4 Moses Simon
An exciting, creative winger, the 21-year-old came through the ranks of the prestigious GBS Academy in Nigeria, the same facility that Leicester City forward, Ahmed Musa went to develop his career.
Moses a quick, smart, intelligent wingman has impressed his club KAA Genk in the short spell he's been at the club and guided them to a Champions League qualification spot in the first year at the club, notching seven goals in his first term at the Belgian club.
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Since his move to Belgium in January 2014, the Nigerian produced stunning displays for the club. Simon is a name that several European clubs have taken notice of with Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Spurs vying for the signature of the winger, according to various reports.
An exciting prospect for the future and probably a knockout artist regarding effectiveness on a game, Moses Simon's future as a KAA Genk player might be coming to an end with larger goals on the horizon for the young Nigerian.
#3 Umar Sadiq
On loan at Bologna this season, the Nigerian bronze medalist from the Rio Olympics made the permanent switch to Roma after a short loan spell last season where he bagged a couple of goals.
A former member of the Future for Football Academy in Nigeria, the young 19-year-old is an exciting striker with good movement and aerial ability.
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He announced himself on the big stage after scoring a fantastic goal for AS Roma when the young Nigerian took out five defenders to plant home an emphatic header past Mattia Perin in goal for Genoa.
Sadiq moved to Italy in 2013, playing for a few Serie C and D clubs before being picked up Roma for a fee of £2m. A pacey, direct striker, Sadiq has joined a massive club with high expectations as he continues his development with the hopes of regular playing time with Bologna and in the future, a break into the Roma first team provided the youngster’s displays impress the Roma coaching team.
#2 Kelechi Iheanacho
The Manchester City and Nigerian forward is one of Nigeria’s most well-known footballers at present, after his meteoric rise last season under Manuel Pellegrini, building a reputation of scoring goals whenever provided the opportunity.
A consistent scorer for City, manager Pep Guardiola has recognised the talent of the Nigerian and has given him ample playing time to build his career in one of the toughest leagues in the world.
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Iheanacho has become as a valuable member of this City squad, and his excellent club form has been rewarded with a call-up for the Nigerian national team. Having made seven appearances and scored four goals for the national team, Iheanacho is already an important player for the Nigerian team.
His goal against AFC Bournemouth this season took his goal tally in the Premier League to 10, joining an exclusive list of players to have scored 10 Premier League goals before the age of 20.
This list includes world class talents such as Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Owen and Romelu Lukaku.
#1 Alex Iwobi
The 20-year-old Arsenal winger is the nephew of former Nigerian and Premier League great Jay Jay Okacha. A tall, strong, and intelligent winger, Iwobi broke through the ranks at Arsenal last season and manager Arsene Wenger has used the Nigerian winger on more than a couple of occasions in the strong Arsenal side.
Making his break into the first team at the end of last season, Alex Iwobi has only gone on to improve and build in confidence.
(Video Courtesy: FlairsHD YouTube Channel)
Iwobi received praise from an unlikely source with former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson a fan of the Nigerian youngster. Iwobi represented England in the U-18, U-17, and U-16 teams, but chose to represent his country of birth, Nigeria when he turned 18, making 7 appearances in total so far.
A future superstar in the making, Iwobi could go on to emulate his uncle and Nigerian footballing legend Jay Jay Okocha.
