The next destination of our alphabetical world tour is Nigeria. With the highest population of any African nation, it’s no surprise that Nigeria are often among the continents top footballing countries. The Super Eagles have reached six of the last seven World Cup Finals tournaments and are three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners.
According to the Premier League website, 40 players have represented Nigeria in the Premier League, stretching back to the very first season.
First Player – Efan Ekoku (Norwich, Wimbledon; 1993-99)
Striker Efan Ekoku joined Norwich City in March 1993, as the Canaries were unexpectedly in the hunt for the league title in the Premier League’s inaugural season.
Though he scored three goals in four league games, he was unable to lead the Canaries to the title, eventually finishing third. He continued to score goals in 1993/94 but was sold to Wimbledon the following season.
He remained with the Dons until 1999 when he moved to Swiss side Grasshoppers. He retired in 2004 after further spells in England and Ireland.
Most Appearances: Shola Ameobi – 298 (Newcastle; 2002-11)
Former England under 21 international Shola Ameobi switched his allegiance to Nigeria in 2011, electing to play for the country of his birth. He had been playing professionally for Newcastle for 11 years by then, eventually amassing 294 top-flight appearances for the Magpies.
He made a further four appearances for Crystal Palace after leaving Newcastle in 2014. That year, he was selected in Nigeria’s squad for the 2014 World Cup, making two appearances as Nigeria exited in the round of 16.
Top Scorer: Yakubu – 95 (Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn; 2003-12)
Feed the Yak and he will score. A generally dependable source of goals wherever he went, Yakubu’s 95 Premier League goals are the most of any Nigerian.
He first appeared in the English top-flight in 2003, firing 16 goals as Portsmouth survived in their first season in the Premier League. He continued to impress at Middlesbrough and in his first season at Everton but struggled in his final years at Goodison Park.
His form returned for one final Premier League campaign in 2011/12, in which he scored a personal best 17 league goals but was unable to save Blackburn from relegation to the Championship.
Current Players
The following five Nigerians appeared in the Premier League in 2019/20 before the league’s suspension: Alex Iwobi (Everton), Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi (both Leicester), Odion Ighalo (Manchester United) and Isaac Success (Watford).
Elsewhere, midfielder defender Leon Balogun was on loan at Wigan Athletic from Brighton and Hove Albion, while Premier League winner Victor Moses is still under contract with Chelsea, but was on loan at Inter Milan last season.
Trivia
- According to the Premier League website, Nigeria have had 40 Premier League players, the most of any CAF nation.
- Former Norwich striker Efan Ekoku was the first player to score more than three goals in a Premier League game, bagging four in a 5-1 victory over Everton in 1993.
- Former Everton and Norwich defender Joseph Yobo is the joint most capped Nigerian of all time, with 101 appearances.
- Yakubu scored four Premier League hat-tricks, the most of any African footballer.
