Top 10 Nigerian Premier League Players of All-time: #10-6

The history of Nigerian players in England isn't a long one, but it certainly is rich. Here is our 10 top Nigerian Premier League footballers of all-time.

The history of Nigerian-born players in England isn’t a long one, but it is certainly rich with talent. Many have made their mark in England, and after taking readers’ responses into consideration, here is the list of the 10 top Nigerian Premier League footballers of all-time:

The 10 Top Nigerian Premier League Footballers of All-time

10. Victor Moses — Wigan, Stoke, Liverpool, Chelsea —

Victor Moses was discovered by Roberto Martinez during his spell as Wigan manager. With some fantastic performances for then-Championship side Crystal Palace, the winger caught the attention of Roberto Di Matteo, who made Moses a Chelsea player in 2012.

After loan spells at Liverpool and Stoke City in subsequent seasons, he returned to Chelsea before being moved again, this time to West Ham United. Moses won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2012-13 and shone at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations for his native Nigerian national team. At just 25 years of age, Moses should be in his prime, and could quickly climb this list.

9. Odion Ighalo — Watford FC —

Odion Ighalo was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1989. The 27-year-old has played for several clubs but just one in England—Watford. After swapping clubs in his home country (Prime FC and Julius Berger FC), he then moved to Europe to play in the Norwegian League. After moving to Udinese in Serie A, he was loaned to Granada CF in La Liga.

He returned to Udinese the following season, only to be loaned again, this time to English side Watford FC, where he currently plays. Ighalo has 64 appearances for Watford, with an impressive 32 goals. In fact, Ighalo likely will end up much higher on this list if not for the fact that he’s only played in two seasons in England (and one in the Premier League).

8. Daniel Amokachi — Everton —

Daniel Amokachi was the first Nigerian player to play in the newly formed Premier League, starring for The Toffees. Everton jumped at the chance to bring in Amokachi on the heels of a wonderful 1994 World Cup performance and a solid performance for Club Brugge of the Belgian league. At Club Brugge, he is credited for having scored the first goal in a new Champions League format.

Amokachi is remembered for his goal celebrations—he had 10 of them in his 42 appearances for Everton. But perhaps more infamously he will be remembered for having chosen himself as a half-time substitute in a match against Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final—a match in which he scored a second half brace, leading his team to victory. Amokachi is currently the manager of Finnish second division side JS Hercules.

7. Joseph Yobo — Everton, Norwich City —

Joseph Yobo is currently the most-capped Nigerian national team footballer of all-time. At club level, his first break came when he was brought to Belgium to play for Standard Liège, where he played from 1998 through 2001. He moved on to Ligue 1 for Marseille, before finally arriving in England on loan to Premier League side Everton. The move was made permanent, and Joseph Yobo remained an Everton man from 2002 through the 2011-12 season. The defender scored eight times for The Toffees in 220 matches (including the loan spell), but he is more remembered for his consistency and reliability.

6. Celestine Babayaro — Chelsea, Newcastle —

Celestine Babayaro was a stalwart for Chelsea at left-back for seven seasons starting in 1997. He arrived at the London club after a move from Anderlecht which cost £2.25 million—a hefty sum for a teenager. Babayaro helped his club to win the UEFA Super Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998. He was praised for many good performances in the 1999-2000 campaign, which helped his club claim the FA Cup.

A human highlight reel, he was an entertainer with his routine back flips and attack-minded nature along the opponents’ flanks. After a frustrating first season under boss José Mourinho, Babayaro moved from Chelsea to Newcastle United in 2005 where he was the club’s first option left-back. Unfortunately, his time at Newcastle was less than stellar. He was charged with a three-match ban for slapping Dirk Kuyt in the face. The 2007-08 season was his last in England. He did sign a contract with MLS club L.A. Galaxy, but it was waived due to poor attitude.