Not Yekini, Okocha, or Keshi - Sports OAP names best Super Eagles player

Renowned sports broadcaster and analyst Segun Agbede has declared former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh as his pick for the greatest Nigerian footballer of all time.

The veteran sports broadcaster named Oliseh ahead of iconic players like Rashidi Yekini, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Stephen Keshi.

In an interview with Punch, he reflected on Nigeria’s footballing golden era, Agbede praised Oliseh’s versatility, tactical intelligence, and influence on the pitch.

“For me, it’s Sunday Oliseh. I watched the 1998 World Cup and Oliseh could play anywhere. He played as a striker in his early years, but also as a defensive midfielder, a number six, a number eight, and a number ten. He was exceptionally talented,” Agbede said.

Oliseh famously scored one of Nigeria’s most memorable World Cup goals a long-range screamer against Spain in 1998 that sealed a 3-2 victory. But his legacy goes beyond that moment.

The former Ajax star won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medal with Nigeria, earning 63 international caps and scoring three goals for his country.

Despite Agbede’s choice, the likes of Yekini, Okocha, and Keshi are widely considered national icons in their own right.

Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria's all-time leading scorer with 37 goals in 58 matches, won the 1994 AFCON title.

Jay-Jay Okocha scored 14 goals in 75 appearances and was a member of the 1996 Olympic gold-winning team.

However, Stephen Keshi won the AFCON as both a player (1994) and a coach (2013) for Nigeria. The defender scored nine goals in 64 appearances for the Super Eagles.