Despite boasting an overwhelming wealth of cultural diversity, few things unite Nigerians as much as football. Heroics like the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1994 African Nations Cup triumph remain permanently plastered in the history of Nigerian football.
The midfield is one part of the pitch where Nigeria has boasted an intimidating luxury of talents. How important is this, really?
No seasoned football analyst can undermine the importance of winning the midfield war. Leading international bookmakers, as on liontips.com, favour teams with outstanding midfielders as such usually translate into a rich supply of scoring opportunities for attackers.
This article diligently curates some of the finest midfield generals to ever marshal the Super Eagles’ midfield.
1. Jay-Jay Okocha
Who else were you expecting us to mention first?
He was so good, they twice named him Jay! This Nigerian midfielder was a football star, profound for his dribbling prowess and mischief on the ball. His presence on the football field promised delicious entertainment for the fans (aside from his opponents).
Jay Jay Okocha bossed the midfield of the Nigerian senior team during his playing days. Apart from his dribbling prowess, the Super Eagles also benefited from his eagled-eyed ability to pick out teammates with pinpoint passes.
Currently 48 years old, Jay Jay played 73 times for the Super Eagles from 1993 to 2006. He started his club career in the Nigerian Professional Football League with Enugu Rangers and closed the curtain to club career with Hull City in England in 2008.
One highlight of his career is his infamous dribble against the then Karlsruher SC’s goalkeeper, Oliver Khan, in a match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Karlsruher SC.
Jay Jay was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the Olympics at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics. He scored 14 goals for the Super Eagles during his time with the team.
Jay jay retired in 2008 after helping Hull City regain promotion to the top flight of the English League.
2. John Obi Mikel
Mikel was commonly regarded as the natural heir of Jay-Jay Okocha, and he didn’t really disappoint.
Mikel was a common presence in the field of play during his time with the Nigerian Super Eagles. He was capped 91 times for the Super Eagles, famously wearing the No. 10 shirt each time.
He began his club career with Plateau United in the Nigerian Professional Football League before joining the Norway-based club, Lyn Football, at 17.
Upon impressing at Lyn, Mikel became a top prospect for big clubs. Most notably, Mikel was the center of a transfer controversy between Chelsea, Manchester United, and Lyn.
After resolving the issue, he settled at Chelsea in 2006, staying there for eleven years. There, he won several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
During his 14-year international career, the defensive midfielder scored six goals for Nigeria, winning the African Cup of Nations trophy in 2013.
He retired from international football in 2019. However, it is not known whether he will continue his club career after recently terminating his contract with his Kuwaiti-based club.
3. Sunday Oliseh
Sunday Oliseh was a versatile footballer during his playing days. So multitalented was he that he intermittently switched between playing as a midfielder and an attacker.
He played 63 times for the Super Eagles, scoring six goals. Oliseh is also famous for his winning strike against Spain in the 1998 World Cup.
In addition, he was part of the Nigerian football team that won the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996.
Oliseh played for different top clubs during his club career. This includes Borussia Dortmund, A.F.C Ajax and Juventus FC.
After retiring from football, Sunday Oliseh began his managerial career with a Belgian third division team as a sports director. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Super Eagles head coach in 2015.
4. Aloysius Atuegbu
Aloysius Atuegbu was a Nigerian defensive midfielder who played for Nigeria from 1975 to 1981. Featuring 60 times for the team, Aloysius was famous for his vicious shots, giving him the nickname “Blockbuster”.
In addition, Aloysius was a free-kick specialist, helping the Super Eagles to their first African Cup of Nations trophy victory in 1980.
For his club career, Aloysius played locally in the Nigerian Professional Football League with various teams.
He started coaching after his retirement, briefly managing the Nigerian U-17 men’s team.
Conclusion
Nigeria has produced several football greats who have lit up the stadiums globally in different clubs. Most of them are midfielders who have commanded the midfield at different competitions. We look forward to a steady supply of fine talent in the middle for the Nigerian Super Eagles.