The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently ignited a heated debate among Nigerian football fans after posting a poll on the Super Eagles‘ official page asking: Who is the greatest Super Eagles captain of all time?
The graphic featured six former and current Super Eagles captains: Stephen Keshi, Joseph Yobo, Kanu Nwankwo, John Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, and William Troost-Ekong.
Each of these players has left a mark on Nigerian football. Keshi, the influential leader known as the “Big Boss,” led Nigeria to its first-ever World Cup appearance in 1994 and lifted the AFCON title the same year.
Yobo captained the side to AFCON glory in 2013, while the likes of Kanu, Mikel, Musa, and Ekong have all played vital leadership roles, despite not winning major trophies as captains.
Reactions trail omission of Super Eagles legends
However, what truly stirred controversy were the exclusions of Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh, two legendary midfielders who captained Nigeria's Super Eagles with distinction.
Oliseh, an authoritative leader and midfield general, was known for his ability to organize the team, enforce discipline, and rally his teammates.
His leadership extended beyond the pitch, where he was often seen guiding younger players and translating the coach’s instructions.
Okocha, on the other hand, was a charismatic entertainer. His influence on Nigerian football was undeniable, not just for his skills but for the way he represented the Super Eagles globally.
Nigerian fans on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to criticize the omissions.
Others made their stance clear, with some declaring Okocha the undisputed choice.
While the NFF's post may have been intended to spark engagement, it has instead led to a deeper conversation about how Nigerian football legends are recognized and whether some of the country’s finest leaders have been overlooked.
