Top 5 Most Successful Nigerian Footballers That Represented Nigeria At The Top Level

In the last 2 decades, the Nigerian football federation had produced top talents that toured the pride of the nation across Europe with their incredible talent.

Most of them conquered Europe and even clinched major club titles that remained the pinnacle of the Inspiration of the new generation to date.

In this article, we would discuss top Nigerian footballers who conquered Europe with their amazing talents.

Top 5 Most Successful Nigerian Footballers That Represented Nigeria At The Top Level

Mikel Obi

Mikel John Obi who is popularly known as Mikel is recognised as one of the most decorated Nigerian professional footballers in the last two decades to date.

His quest for professionalism was quite inspiring following how he kicked off his talent from the root of penury embossed status.

The Nigerian icon began his career in a local club identified as Plateau United where he deployed an incredible display that earned him a partial big effect that even exposed his potential.

A popular Norwegian club which is better known as Lyn fell in love with his balling qualities and acquired his signature. This was the era he displayed incredible status that attracted highly decorated clubs to his status.

The clubs emerged to be the two giants of England, Manchester United and Chelsea Football.  However, in 2006 Chelsea football pulled a stunt after Manchester United claimed to have signed the superstar.

John Obi Mikel was signed to Chelsea football club after a severe competition between Chelsea and Manchester United. He joined the Chelsea squad and dominated the squad edging as the best youngest player in his first year.

Ever since he kicked off that mark, he has gone far to win major club titles like the Premier League trophy including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

He is also known for his football international record following how he is amongst the Super Eagles era that won the African cup of the nation in 2013.

Kanu Nwankwo 

Nwankwo Kanu OON who is better identified as Kanu is another big name to ever feature in the Nigerian football history.

Just like John Obi Mikel, Kanu began his football quest in his native club before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He impressed the Nigerian football federation and he was registered to represent the nation’s U-17 World Championships.

With no hesitation, he dominated the tournament and earned himself a name.  popular Dutch club, Ajax gave him a boost and signed him to the club where he also deployed his incredible football qualities. He was recognised as one of their best players of the 1993 era.

Despite bagging a massive number of goals, he strengthened his tally in the club by winning the UEFA Champions League in a two years difference.

Other clubs showed interest in him. Clubs like Inter Milan, Portsmouth, Arsenal, and West Brom further widened his tally with incredible memories that reshaped him as one of the most decorated footballers in Nigeria.

At the time of his retirement, Kanu has already recorded a vast number of major trophies across all competitions. He won the UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards.

Jay Jay Okocha 

Augustine Azuka Okocha who is popularly known as Jay-Jay Okocha also is a Nigerian highly profiled footballer who is recognised intentionally for his incredible footballing tally.

He played mostly as an attacking midfielder who found thrillers portraying highly rated football skills.

He started his football goal pursuit in his native club Enugu Rangers just like the other big names in the Nigerian football federation. After an incredible football display, in Enugu Ranger football club, he was recognised by big clubs who offered him incredible contracts.

One of the clubs he accepted emerged to be Borussia Neunkirchen located in Oberliga Südwest which is recognised as Germany’s third division in July 1990. This was where he gained public recognition and attracted many big clubs to his status.

According to Okocha, his lifetime opportunity was sparked after he escorted his friend to their club training routine who played at Borussia Neunkirchen while he was on a vacation in Germany. He was asked to join the team’s training routine and with no doubt impressed the Borussia Neunkirchen coach who offered him the opportunity to prove himself in the club.

Clubs that ranged from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City decorated the rest of his career to retirement.

The footballer invented most of the football skills popular football stars display today. He was known for the passion he deploys in his dribbling qualities on the pitch.

Obafemi Martins 

The Nigerian big star who played as a forward and has earned a mark for his image also is known popularly known for his record in Nigerian football history.

Amongst all the Nigerian highly profiled footballers, he is not left out as he has represented the pride of Nigeria across the top European division.

His football success began in 2002 when he left Nigeria and joined the Italian big club, Inter Milan where he won most of his major club trophies.

He continued to tour his football abilities across Europe after what seemed to be pure thrilling years of experience in Inter Milan.

However, despite this take, Obafemi Mertins is hated by Nigerians for the shocking open post miss he condoned against Japan in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Emmanuel Emenike 

Emmanuel Chinenye Emenike who was born to a penury merchant family in the year 1987 is also a big name to have ever represented the Nigerian football federation at a top level across Europe.

He was quite known popularly for the beauty of his shooting power. He played as a striker in all his football career at different top clubs.

Like a passionate poor talented footballer striving for his peak, he kicked off his football quest in an unprofessional football club, Delta Force located in a low division. He often revealed that he trekked from home to the club every single match day for he had no funds.

Genuine unique talent doesn’t fail and this earned him a better recognition.  A South African top team which is popularly known as Mpumalanga Black Aces offered him a whopping contract and paid him his first salary.

He continued his incredible performance at the top level which soared him to other big clubs he achieved greater peaks. He played for an enormous number of clubs like Al Ain (on loan), West Ham United (on loan), Olympiakos, and Las Palmas.