Nigeria is blessed with a lot of football talent; some more famous than others and after their performance at this year’s AFCON, it is no doubt that this is a Nigerian side capable of winning trophies and going far in International competitions. There is no shortage of talent in each position in the current Nigerian team; the squad is replete with talent and is almost always a headache for the coach to pick his best eleven. We have made a list of who we think Nigeria’s best players are in each position. Let’s get right into it.
1. GOALKEEPER
Stanley Nwabali
The goalkeeper position belongs to Stanley Nwabali. It’s obvious from the last AFCON that he is now above former Nigerian Number 1 Francis Uzoho in the pecking order. Nwabali plays for Chipper United in South Africa and is an absolute beast of a goalkeeper. His contribution was very key to Nigeria’s progression to the finals of the just concluded AFCON. Nigerians believe they have finally found the Victor Enyeama regen in Nwabali. He made excellent saves in Nigeria’s AFCON campaign including saving two penalties against South Africa in the AFCON semi-finals that essentially handed Nigeria their ticket to the finals of the competition. He was second only to South Africa’s Ronwen Williams who also put in an excellent goalkeeping shift in the tournament and even then, the difference is marginal.
Maduka Okoye
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also excellent in goal for Nigeria but will probably play second fiddle to Nwabali. He was the starting goalkeeper for Nigeria in the 2022 AFCON but Nigeria didn’t get very far.
2. DEFENDERS
William Troost-Ekong
William-Troost Ekong is undeniably Nigeria’s best talent in this position. He was named player of the tournament for his performance in the AFCON 23. He was a defensive wall for Nigeria with a penchant for winning aerial duels and heading the ball away from the opponent. His contribution to the team extends beyond just his primary defensive position; Troost-Ekong was also on the scoresheet three times over the course of the campaign. He was the squad’s penalty taker and he scored all the penalties he took in the competition including a header in the finals. He was named player of the tournament for his performance so nothing apart from age or injuries should prevent Troost-Ekong from starting in the defence for Nigeria any day of the week. He currently plays for Greek Club PAOK FC but was out of action for a while on account of an injury sustained during the AFCON.
Calvin Bassey
Depending on the formation, Troost-Ekong can be paired with Fulham’s Calvin Bassey or West Brom’s Semi Ajayi. Bassey can play as a left full-back or a center back while Bassey is a regular starter for Fulham and has scored one goal for them this season. He also displayed defensive solidity and strength in the AFCON campaign getting a very important assist in the competition.
Semi Ajayi
Ajayi doubles as a defensive midfielder. He is solid at the back and very comfortable on the ball. The defender was hard to get by and played virtually every minute of Nigeria’s AFCON campaign and looked solid throughout.
Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is one of Nigeria’s best in his right-back position. He is comfortable on the ball, excellent in the defense in addition to being a threat offensively; the quintessential modern wingback.
MIDFIELDERS
Nigeria’s midfield may be the most deficient in terms of talent available but even at that, the players available there are still highly skilled and efficient.
Frank Onyeka
Frank plays as a defensive midfielder for Brentford and has solidified his place on the Nigerian National team’s starting eleven. He has more than proven himself in the just concluded AFCON.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi has been a regular on the Nigerian team for a while now. The Leicester City defensive midfielder is solid at the back and has a spot in Nigerian’s first eleven especially in a defensively focused set-up pairing up with Frank Onyeka. Unfortunately, Ndidi did not feature in AFCON 23 due to injury.
Alexander Iwobi
Iwobi is probably the best-attacking midfielder Nigeria has now. He plays for Fulham in the Premier League and had an excellent performance at the last AFCON. He is a starter for Fulham with five goals and two assists in 29 Premier League games for the club this season. Though his numbers are not on the level of Kevin De Bryune or Cole Palmer, they’re quite decent and he will retain his spot on the Nigerian best 11.
3.FORWARDS
It’s in this department that Nigeria is most spoiled for choice. Nigeria’s attack is replete with talent and they are killing it in difficult leagues and clubs across Europe.
Victor Osimhen
Napoli star striker Victor Osimhen won the CAF Player of the Year award last year after an excellent season in which he scored 27 goals in the Serie A to help Napoli win the Scudetto. He is a world-class striker being pursued by top clubs in Europe. Osimhen is fast, strong on the ball, tenacious, and most importantly he can score goals. He currently has 15 goals for Napoli which is quite impressive considering he suffered from an injury and the team as a whole is in shambles.
Victor Boniface
Boniface is another excellent striker on Nigeria’s list. He plays up front for Bayer Leverkusen and has played no small part in their undefeated run so far. Boniface has 13 goals and eight assists so far in the Bundesliga and this is a season in which he suffered an injury that kept him out for months. He also missed the AFCON due to the injury but his quality cannot be denied. Depending on the formation, he can play as a supporting striker with Victor Osimhen.
Taiwo Awoniyi
An excellent player who also missed out on the AFCON due to injury. Awoniyi plays as a striker for Nottingham Forest. He currently has 6 goals and 3 assists for the club and that’s after coming back from an extended injury. Awoniyi is built like a tank and is solid upfront able to resist bullying from defenders and put the ball in the back of the net.
Ademola Lookman
Lookman plays for Atalanta and has all but sealed his place In Nigeria’s starting eleven based on his performance in the AFCON and his current performance with Atalanta. The winger scored 3 goals and 1 assist in the AFCON campaign and currently has nine goals and six assists for Atalanta. Lookman is fast, quick on the ball, and can find the back of the net.
Samuel Chukueze
Chukueze’s performance at Villarreal earned him a move to AC Milan a few seasons ago. He is majorly known for his ability to dribble past opponents and create chances. He only has one goal and three assists for AC Milan this season in the Serie A but his quality is evident to anyone who watches him play.
Moses Simon
Moses Simon appeared to have usurped Chukwueze in the pecking order at the AFCON earlier in the year. Simon is fast and can create chances for the strikers to put away. He currently has three goals and five assists for Ligue 1 club Nantes and will probably start over Chukwueze in the Nigerian team.
Other notable Nigerian talents are Paul Onuachu, Gift Orban, and Terem Moffi and they might soon become regulars on the Nigerian team. Perhaps the best Nigerian team currently on paper would include;
Stanley Nwabali
William Troost-Ekong
Semi Ajayi
Calvin Bassey
Ola Aina
Frank Onyeka
Alex Iwobi
Wilfred Ndidi
Victor Boniface
Victor Osimhen
Ademola Lookman
What do you think of this starting line-up? Did we miss out anybody?