Nigerian players have consistently remained relevant in European club competitions, and they have lifted major UEFA trophies for their club sides.
As UEFA competitions resume on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the Super Eagles of Nigeria would have adequate representation on the grandest stage in Europe, which is in the UEFA competitions like the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. This is why we compiled a list of Nigerian players that have won major UEFA trophies in their careers as footballers for their club sides.
Below is a list of the top Nigerian footballers that have dominated UEFA competitions and have won trophies to show for it.
5. Chidi Odiah (UEFA Europa league winner at CSKA Moscow)
Categorized as one of the best wing-backs for Nigeria, Chidi Odiah holds the number 5 position on the list after winning the UEFA Europa League with CSKA Moscow in the 2004/2005 season on May 18, 2005. Chidi’s side had beaten their opposition Sporting Lisbon of Portugal 3-1 in the finals of the match to earn the legendary defender a position on our list.
4. Taribo West (UEFA Europa league winner at Inter Milan)
Now a pastor, Taribo West, in his days as a footballer, was an influential figure in defence for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He won the UEFA Europa League trophy with Inter Milan in the 1997/1998 season. The final between Inter Milan vs Lazio was played on May 8, 1998, and ended in favour of Inter Milan by 3-0 to earn Taribo his first UEFA trophy.
3. Finidi George (UEFA Champions League winner at Ajax Amsterdam)
Former Calabar Rovers winger Finidi George penned his name down in the history of Nigerian football as he won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in the 1994/1995 season of the competition on May 24, 1995. His side Ajax successfully defeated AC Milan by the scoreline of 1-0.
Finidi George proved himself to be a worthy player for the Dutch side as a good option in the midfield in their road to the UEFA Champions League final.
2. Kanu Nwankwo (UEFA Champions League winner at Ajax Amsterdam)
Known popularly as Papilo, the lanky former forward of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and a member of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medal team, Nwankwo Kanu had also won the UEFA Champions League. He played for Ajax alongside Finidi George and they had both won it together. Kanu almost had his name on the scoresheet when Ajax played on May 24, 1995, in the UEFA Champion League finals against AC Milan.
1. Mikel Obi (Champions League winner/ Europa League winner at Chelsea)
The former Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi is undoubtedly one of the most successful Nigerian footballers at the club level. He won the UEFA Champions League in the 2011/2012 season at Chelsea who had played Bayern Munich on May 19, 2012, and followed it up with a victory in the UEFA Europa League in 2012/2013 season on May 15, 2013. The former Super Eagles of Nigeria captain has continued to be a figure that would always remembered in African football.
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