Super Eagles is the name ascribed to Nigeria’s senior national team in the male category; it is arguably the most successful national team in Africa.
And since the inauguration of the Nigeria Super Eagles, it have produced a whole lots of talents, especially people coming from the grassroot.
And these players have in the past carved a niche for themselves in the world of football, most times winning both local and International accolades.
In this article, we will be highlighting the best Super Eagles midfielders of all time, and of course, it will be based on their various achievements. The Super Eagles have witnessed a lot of exceptionally talented midfielders, but this article will looking at the players who mostly played in late 90s and in 2000s.
LIST OF BEST MIDFIELDERS OF THE SUPER EAGLES
No 4: Wilson Oruma
Oruma was a prolific Nigerian former professional footballer, who played as a midfielder.
Also read: I Recommended Salisu Yusuf For Super Eagles Job – Bosso
Oruma being a fantastic player started his career in Nigeria, with Bendel Insurance of Benin, from1993 – 1994.
The midfield maestro who was born in warri, Delta State, Nigeria, contributed immensely to building the name the national team is enjoying today.
He played most of his professional club career in France, starting at RC Lens. He was part of the Olympic eagles that won gold in Atlanta in the 1996 Olympic game.
He was also part of the team that represented Nigeria in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
More importantly he was the captain of the Nigeria under-17 squad that won the 1993 FIFA U-17 world championship.
Oruma was lucrative for Nigeria during the 2002 and 2006 African cup of nations. Where Nigeria finished third in both competitions.
No 3: Sunday Oliseh
Oliseh is a legend a when it comes to Nigeria football history. Sunday Oliseh during his career played as a defensive midfielder.
He was physically and technically gifted, arguably the Super Eagles most combative midfielder of all time. He featured in 63 international matches and scored three goals.
Oliseh contributed greatly in the triumphant victory of the Olympic Eagles in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta Georgia, USA, where Nigeria won gold against Argentina.
Also read:Â List Of Top 5 Richest Super Eagles Players In The Last Decade
He played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup games, scoring one of the best goals ever in a FIFA men’s world cup tournament. Scoring from as thunderous strike outside the box against Spain in the 1998 edition in France.
Due to his excellency in the field of play, Oliseh was voted African third best footballer in 1998 by CAF.
Oliseh is mostly remember for scoring the wining goal in the group stage match against Spain in the 1998 world cup.
Oliseh was also part of the squad that won Nigeria their second African cup of nations in 1994.
Upon retirement, the former Juventus midfielder ventured into coaching, and has gone ahead to coach a variety of clubs in Europe. He’s also had a short stint as a coach of the Super Eagles; but had to resign, citing breach of agreement by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
No 2: Mikel Obi
John Michael Nchekwube Obi was a former Nigerian professional footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder at the beginning of his career, but switched to a more defensive role at later stages.
John Obi Mikel started his journey to becoming a professional at Pepsi football academy Jos, plateau State Nigeria. In 2002 he signed for a former NPFL champion Plateau United Football Club.
He has participated in numerous victorious games for the national team. From the youth games to senior games.
You can’t tell Nigeria soccer success story without mentioning Mikel.
Also read:Â Super Eagles And 1 Other CAF Nation That Failed To Improve On FIFA Latest Ranking
The former Chelsea player, represented Nigeria in the 2005 under-20 world championship where they won Silver medal. And in the tournament, Mikel won a Silver Ball as the second best player of the tournament.
Obi Mikel was part of the Super Eagles squad that won bronze for Nigeria at the 2006, 2010, 2019 African cup of nations.
He was also part of the team that won bronze for Nigeria’s men’s team at the 2016 summer Olympics in Brazil.
His contribution will never be forgotten.
No 1: Augustine Jay Jay Okocha –
Jay Jay Okocha was a former Nigerian international player. Regarded by many as the most skillful football player of his generation.
During his playing days, Okocha played as an attacking midfielder. He won 73 Caps for Nigeria National Team, with 14 goals to his name.
Jay Jay Okocha started playing football on the streets of Nigerian cities, before joining Enugu Rangers International football club, a local club playing in the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL.
Okocha captained the national team of Nigeria for over a decade and was part of the team that won the 1994 African cup of nations for Nigeria.
Okocha also helped the Super Eagles win some remarkable titles, Including the Afro-asian cup of nations in 1995.
He was part of the team that finished second in the 2000 African cup of nations. He was also with the team that won bronze at the 2002, 2004 and 2006 African cup of nations.
Also read: Super Eagles Arguably The Best National Team In The World – Egueavoen
Jay Jay was mostly remembered by Nigerians, for his dribbling and passing skills. He scored a wonderful free-kick against Cameroon in an AFCON tournament to equalise a Samuel Eto’o’s goal.
He is arguably the most popular Nigerian footballer in history; fans would always say, he was so good they name him twice “Jay Jay” Okocha.
Note: this article wasn’t written to downgrade any ex Super Eagles midfielder(s). Everyone of course did their best while in the Green and White colours.
