Best Midfielder in Nigeria - Top List of Extraordinary Players
by Krishika M
Updated May 13, 2023
Best Midfielder in Nigeria
Midfielders in Nigeria are known for their athleticism, technical skills, and physicality. They play a crucial role in controlling the game and linking the defense with the attack. Nigerian midfielders often display excellent ball control, passing ability, and a good sense of positioning.
Many Nigerian midfielders excel in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. They contribute to the team's attacking play by providing accurate passes, through balls, and creating goal-scoring opportunities. At the same time, they possess the physicality and tactical awareness to disrupt the opponent's attacks, win back possession, and shield the defense.
Nigerian midfielders are often versatile and adaptable, capable of playing in different midfield positions. They can operate as central midfielders, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders, or even wide midfielders. This flexibility allows them to contribute effectively in various tactical setups.
In addition to their technical and tactical abilities, Nigerian midfielders are often praised for their work ethic, determination, and resilience. They exhibit a strong desire to succeed and showcase their talents both domestically and on the international stage, representing Nigeria in various competitions.
In this article, we have listed and explained the best midfielders in Nigeria. Hence we suggest you to go through the article completely for a good knowledge about the subject.
Top 5 Best Midfielder in Nigeria
Here is the list of the top 5 best midfielders in Nigeria:
1
Samuel Chukwueze
Villarreal
2
Wilfred Ndidi
Leicester
3
Alex Iwobi
Everton
4
Ola Aina
Torino
5
Kelechi Iheanacho
Leicester
S.No.
Midfielders
Teams
1. Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
Samuel Chukwueze is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Spanish club Villarreal CF. He was born on May 22, 1999, in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Chukwueze began his youth career at the Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria before joining Villarreal's youth setup in 2017.
Chukwueze made his senior debut for Villarreal in November 2018, and since then, he has become an integral part of the team. Known for his pace, dribbling skills, and ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, he has impressed both fans and critics with his performances on the field.
One of Chukwueze's notable achievements came in the 2020-2021 season when Villarreal reached the UEFA Europa League final. Chukwueze played a crucial role in helping the team secure the title, contributing with goals and assists throughout the competition.
However, he suffered a hip injury during the final match and had to undergo surgery, which resulted in him missing a significant portion of the 2021-2022 season.
2. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)
Wilfred Ndidi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for the English club Leicester City. He was born on December 16, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria. Ndidi began his football career at Nath Boys Academy in Nigeria before joining the Belgian club KRC Genk in 2015.
Ndidi made his senior debut for KRC Genk in 2015 and quickly established himself as a key player in the team. Known for his strong tackling ability, interceptions, and positional sense, he caught the attention of several top clubs with his performances in the Belgian Pro League.
In January 2017, Ndidi signed for Leicester City in the English Premier League. He immediately made an impact and became a regular starter for the team. His ability to break up play, win back possession, and distribute the ball effectively earned him praise from fans and experts alike.
Ndidi has continued to impress at Leicester City, consistently putting in strong performances in midfield. He has played a vital role in the team's successes, including their historic Premier League title win in the 2015-2016 season. His performances have also earned him recognition and praise as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
3. Alex Iwobi (Everton)
Alex Iwobi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for the English club Everton. He was born on May 3, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria. Iwobi is the nephew of former Nigerian footballer Jay-Jay Okocha and grew up in a family with a strong footballing background.
Iwobi began his youth career at Arsenal, joining their academy at the age of eight. He progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut for Arsenal in October 2015. He quickly established himself as a versatile attacking player, capable of playing in multiple positions across the frontline.
During his time at Arsenal, Iwobi showcased his technical skills, vision, and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He had several notable performances for the club and scored some important goals, including goals in the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
On the international stage, Iwobi has represented the Nigerian national team since 2015. He has participated in major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations and has been an important player for Nigeria, contributing with goals and assists.
4. Ola Aina (Torino)
Ola Aina is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a full-back or wing-back for the Italian club Torino. He was born on October 8, 1996, in London, England. Although born in England, Aina chose to represent the Nigerian national team at the international level.
Aina started his youth career at the Chelsea academy and progressed through the ranks of the club. He made his first-team debut for Chelsea in August 2016 in a League Cup match. Aina primarily played as a right-back but was also capable of playing as a left-back or in a more advanced role on the wing.
In search of regular playing time, Aina joined Hull City on loan for the 2017-2018 season. He made a significant impact during his loan spell, earning praise for his performances and versatility. Aina returned to Chelsea after his loan spell but was subsequently loaned out again, this time to Torino in the Italian Serie A for the 2018-2019 season.
On the international stage, Aina made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2017. He has represented Nigeria in tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations and has been a consistent presence in the national team setup.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester)
Kelechi Iheanacho is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the English club Leicester City. He was born on October 3, 1996, in Imo State, Nigeria. Iheanacho rose to prominence as a young talent in Nigerian football and made his way to European football at a relatively young age.
Iheanacho started his professional career at the Nigerian club Taye Academy before moving to Manchester City's youth academy in 2014. He quickly made an impact and was promoted to Manchester City's senior team in 2015. During his time at Manchester City, he showcased his goalscoring ability and demonstrated his potential as a promising young forward.
In August 2017, Iheanacho joined Leicester City in a reported £25 million transfer. Since joining Leicester, he has had moments of brilliance, contributing with important goals and assists. Iheanacho has shown his versatility in attack, capable of playing as a central striker or in a deeper role as a supporting forward.
On the international stage, Iheanacho has represented the Nigerian national team. He made his senior debut in 2015 and has been a consistent member of the squad. He has participated in tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations and has been recognized as one of Nigeria's top attacking talents.
Who is the No.1 Midfielder in Nigeria?
Jay-Jay Okocha, whose real name is Augustine Azuka Okocha, is a retired Nigerian professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian players of all time. He was born on August 14, 1973, in Enugu, Nigeria.
Okocha's football career spanned several clubs and countries. He began his professional career at Enugu Rangers in Nigeria before moving to Europe to join the German club Borussia Neunkirchen in 1990. He subsequently played for clubs such as Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, Fenerbahce in Turkey, Paris Saint-Germain in France, and Bolton Wanderers in England.
During his time in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, Okocha gained significant recognition and became a fan favorite. His dribbling skills, technical ability, and incredible flair made him a joy to watch. He earned the nickname "Jay-Jay" for his initials and his style of play, which often left opponents bewildered.
Off the field, Okocha's charismatic personality and incredible skill made him a popular figure in the football world. He has been widely respected and admired for his talent and has been recognized as one of the best African players of his generation.
After retiring from professional football, Okocha has been involved in various football-related activities, including serving as a football ambassador and participating in charitable initiatives.
Popular Midfielders in Nigeria
There have been several popular midfielders from Nigeria who have made a significant impact both domestically and internationally. Here are some of the well-known Nigerian midfielders:
Austin Okocha: As mentioned earlier, Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha is one of the most popular Nigerian midfielders of all time. Known for his incredible dribbling skills, flair, and creativity, Okocha played for clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bolton Wanderers.
John Obi Mikel: John Obi Mikel gained popularity as a midfielder for both Chelsea in the English Premier League and the Nigerian national team. He was known for his composure, strong tackling, and ability to dictate play from deep midfield positions.
Sunday Oliseh: Sunday Oliseh is a former Nigerian international midfielder who had a successful club career in Europe. He played for clubs like Ajax, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund. Oliseh was known for his leadership qualities, passing ability, and long-range shooting.
Kanu Nwankwo: Although primarily a forward, Kanu Nwankwo often operated as an attacking midfielder during his career. He was known for his technical skills, vision, and goal-scoring ability. Kanu achieved success with clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal.
Jay-Jay Okocha: In addition to Austin Okocha, Jay-Jay Okocha's nephew Alex Iwobi has gained popularity as a midfielder. Iwobi played for Arsenal before moving to Everton, and he has showcased his versatility, dribbling skills, and ability to create chances.
These are just a few examples of popular midfielders from Nigeria. Nigeria has a rich footballing history and has produced many talented midfielders who have left a lasting impact on the game.
Best Midfielder in Nigeria - FAQs
Midfielders in Nigeria need to possess a combination of technical skills, athleticism, tactical understanding, and versatility. Good passing ability, vision, dribbling skills, defensive awareness, and work rate are all crucial qualities for Nigerian midfielders.
Nigeria has a pool of talented young midfielders to watch out for. Some notable names include Joe Aribo (Rangers FC), Ramon Azeez (Granada), Nwankwo Obiora (Heartland FC), and Kelechi Nwakali (Huesca, on loan from Arsenal).
Nigerian midfielders have played a vital role in the success of the national team. They contribute to the team's attacking play, create scoring opportunities, and help maintain possession. Their defensive contributions in breaking up opposition attacks and shielding the defense have also been crucial.
Several Nigerian midfielders have enjoyed successful careers in top European leagues. Austin Okocha (Bolton Wanderers), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Finidi George (Ajax), Sunday Oliseh (Borussia Dortmund), and Kanu Nwankwo (Arsenal) are among the notable examples.
Yes, there are Nigerian midfielders currently playing in top European clubs. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Joe Aribo (Rangers FC), and Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford, on loan from Stoke City) are some examples of Nigerian midfielders plying their trade in reputable European clubs.