Who have been the best Nigerian players in the EPL?

Published: February 26, 2022

There is no doubt that Nigerian players have made a big impact in the EPL, players who have starred for their teams, having a huge influence on where the title went, as well as the relegation battle at the other end of the table. Though this article will only look at past players, those who have finished their career, there are several playing at the very top level today, as well as those preparing to step up.

Playing in the EPL is the pinnacle for many players. There is the financial rewards of course, but also it gives players the chance to perform in the most exciting, most watched league in the world, with and against the best players in the world, in front of passionate, noisy fans. On the flip side, there are certainly disadvantages to playing in England. The weather for one is something that takes a lot of getting used to especially if you have not been in Northern Europe for any length of time, particularly in winter. The sheer number of fixtures is another, and fixture congestion is very real in the EPL, especially for clubs who go long into the cup competitions. So with all that in mind, and in no particular order, let’s see which players have made that move most successfully.

John Obi Mikel

Signed by Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2006, John Obi Mikel was one of the first new wave of defensive midfielders who would go on to have such an effect on their teams’ success. Playing under some of the best managers in world football, John was at Chelsea for over a decade, notching up almost 250 appearances. His list of silverware is astonishing, and includes 2 EPL titles, 3 FA Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League and 1 League Cup.

Nwankwo Kanu

To be part of what is considered to be the best team ever to play in the EPL is certainly an achievement. Kanu was in Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal team dubbed “The Invincibles” that went the entire 2003/2004 season unbeaten. Playing with the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Kanu may not have been the most famous of the group, but he played an integral part, not just in that season but in all six he spent in North London, playing a total of 198 times and scoring 48. After his Arsenal career he played at West Brom and Portsmouth, winning the FA Cup for Pompey with the only goal of the game.

Jay-Jay Okocha

He may not have had the glittering EPL career of the previous two mentioned, with the silverware associated with it, but between 2002 and 2006 when he played for unfashionable Bolton Jay-Jay Okocha’s displays and trickery lit up the league. He was adored by the Bolton fans, quickly becoming a club legend as well as their captain, and was equally liked and admired by opposing fans.

Victor Moses

Victor Moses played in the same Chelsea team as compatriot John Obi Mikel, but despite having a successful first season, scoring 10 times, the winger was seen as surplus to requirements at the club, being loaned out to several clubs including Liverpool, Stoke, and West Ham. All that changed when current Spurs boss Antonio Conte took over at Stamford Bridge. The Italian brought Moses back, converting him into a wing back, and it worked straight away, picking up the PFA Fans Player of the month award.

The Best of the Rest

With more than 50 Nigerian players to have graced the EPL (more than any other African nation) it is hard to pick just a handful, but as well as those talked about above, there are a few others that are at least worthy of a mention.

Peter Odemwingie had a successful career in the EPL, mainly at West Brom where he scored 31 times in 89 games. Shola Ameobi was a fan favourite at Newcastle, where he amassed 297 appearances. We will end with the highest scoring Nigerian of all time with regards to the EPL. Affectionately known as “The Yak”, Yakubu scored 95 goals at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn.