Super Eagles’ 10 greatest playmakers: Iwobi, Mikel, Okocha, Oruma, Okwaraji ranked

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have produced some of Africa’s most gifted attacking midfielders for decades, Afrik-Foot reports.

These are the players who create chances, unlock stubborn defenses with clever passes and inspire their teams during the biggest matches. While many have worn the famous No. 10 shirt, only a select group have left a lasting mark on the Super Eagles through their creativity, vision and leadership.

From the elegant control of John Mikel Obi to the magical skills of Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, every generation has had a player capable of changing games with a single pass or piece of brilliance. Some starred in Europe, others became legends in Nigeria’s domestic league, but all made unforgettable contributions to the national team.

Here is Afrik-Foot’s ranking of the 10 greatest creative playmakers in Super Eagles history.

Super Eagles’ greatest creative midfielders

10. Kelechi Iheanacho

Although widely known as a striker, Kelechi Iheanacho has frequently operated as a creative No. 10 for both club and country. He burst onto the global stage by winning the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Nigeria dominated the tournament.

At Manchester City, he impressed as a teenager before becoming one of Leicester City’s most important attacking players. He helped Leicester win the 2021 FA Cup and scored the winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield later that year.

Iheanacho has often delivered decisive assists and important goals in AFCON qualifiers and tournaments. His combination of vision, technical ability and finishing gives him a unique place among Nigeria’s creative talents.

9. Wilson Oruma

Wilson Oruma first announced himself to the world as captain of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets during the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer while leading Nigeria to another world title.

His club career flourished in France, particularly with Sochaux, where he helped the club win the Coupe de la Ligue. He later became an important midfielder for Olympique de Marseille, combining pace, direct dribbling and sharp passing.

For the Super Eagles, Oruma was an important squad member during Nigeria’s unforgettable 1996 Olympic Games triumph in Atlanta, where the country won Africa’s first men’s football gold medal. He also represented Nigeria at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, providing energy and creativity whenever called upon.

8. Friday Ekpo

Friday Ekpo became one of the most admired midfielders in Nigerian domestic football during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Playing for clubs including Abiola Babes and Leventis United, he built a reputation for his excellent passing, accurate free-kicks and ability to control matches from midfield before later moving to Gabon.

His creativity helped Nigeria during a period of transition, and he was an important member of the squad that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. His vision and dead-ball quality made him one of the country’s finest playmakers before the golden generation fully emerged.

7. Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi represents the modern version of the Nigerian playmaker. A product of Arsenal’s academy, he broke into the first team before continuing his Premier League career with Everton and later Fulham, where his versatility and ability to carry the ball through midfield became key strengths.

For Nigeria, Iwobi inherited enormous expectations as the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha. Instead of copying his famous uncle, he developed his own style based on intelligent movement, quick passing and relentless work rate.

One of his most memorable international moments came when he scored the decisive goal against Zambia in Uyo to seal Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Years later, he became one of the driving forces behind Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished runners-up.

Although his career is still ongoing, Iwobi has already established himself among Nigeria’s greatest creative midfielders.

6. Etim Esin

Few Nigerian footballers possessed as much natural talent as Etim Esin. Nicknamed the “African Maradona,” Esin thrilled supporters with fearless dribbling, brilliant close control and daring creativity. His performances during the late 1980s made him the centrepiece of the national team’s attack.

He later moved to Belgium, playing for Lokeren and Lierse, where his technical ability continued to attract attention before off-field problems limited what many believed could have been an even greater European career.

Despite those setbacks, Esin remains one of Nigeria’s most naturally gifted playmakers and one of the country’s biggest football icons.

5. Samuel Okwaraji

Samuel Okwaraji’s football story continues to inspire Nigerians decades after his passing. The Germany-based midfielder combined intelligence, stamina and creativity while also earning a law degree, making him one of the country’s most respected footballers on and off the pitch.

He played for clubs including Stuttgart, Dinamo Zagreb and SSV Ulm before becoming a vital figure in Nigeria’s midfield during the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles reached the final.

His life was tragically cut short on August 12, 1989, when he collapsed from a heart condition during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos. His sacrifice while representing Nigeria has made him one of the nation’s greatest sporting heroes.

4. Henry Nwosu

A gifted midfielder in his day, Henry Nwosu (16) was the youngest member of #Nigeria's victorious 1980 AFCON squad.

Played at the 1982, 1984 & 1988 [goal in final controversially disallowed] tournaments before retiring from international football in 1991.pic.twitter.com/rhOmzsndhY

— Olúwashínà Òkélèjì (@oluwashina) March 14, 2026

Henry Nwosu became a household name while starring for New Nigeria Bank FC, leading the club to back-to-back WAFU Club Championship titles before later joining ASEC Mimosas. Internationally, he made history by becoming the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Throughout the 1980s, Nwosu wore the No. 10 shirt with distinction, combining intelligence, two-footed ability and leadership. He scored important goals in several AFCON tournaments and became one of the defining playmakers of his generation.

3. Mudashiru “Muda” Lawal

Mudashiru Lawal remains one of the greatest midfielders Nigeria has ever produced. The legendary Shooting Stars star guided the Ibadan club to the 1976 African Cup Winners’ Cup, one of the greatest achievements in Nigerian club football.

For the Super Eagles, Lawal became the first African footballer to appear in five consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments between 1976 and 1984. His finest international moment came in Lagos during the 1980 AFCON final when he scored Nigeria’s third goal in a famous 3-0 victory over Algeria, securing the country’s first continental title.

2. John Mikel Obi

John Mikel Obi enjoyed one of the most successful club careers by any Nigerian footballer. During 11 years at Chelsea, he made 372 appearances and won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and several other major honours.

Although Chelsea often used him as a defensive midfielder, Mikel regularly played with greater freedom for Nigeria. His outstanding performances helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. He later captained Nigeria to the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and represented the country at multiple FIFA World Cups.

His calmness, intelligence and ability to dictate matches make him one of Nigeria’s greatest-ever midfield conductors.

1. Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha

No Nigerian playmaker has captured the imagination of football fans quite like Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. His dazzling career took him from Eintracht Frankfurt to Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers, where his extraordinary skills made him a Premier League legend. His famous dribbles, step-overs and fearless creativity entertained supporters around the world.

Okocha became the symbol of a golden generation for Nigeria. He helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia before inspiring the country’s unforgettable Olympic gold medal success in Atlanta in 1996.

He also represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups, consistently producing moments of brilliance against the world’s best teams. His vision, balance, confidence under pressure and ability to create something out of nothing earned him the famous tribute: “So good they named him twice.”

More than two decades after his peak, Okocha remains the benchmark for every Nigerian player who dreams of wearing the iconic No. 10 shirt.