Ace Football looks at the five greatest Nigerian strikers to grace the game.
There has never been a shortage of quality Nigerian strikers, has there?
The Giant of Africa has produced countless goalscorers over the years. Some have excelled as penalty-box assassins. Others have delivered the goods as all-rounders, but who would you rate as the best of the very best?
So, without further ado, Ace Football lists and profiles the five greatest Nigerian strikers in the beautiful game’s history.
5. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
‘The Yak’ is the fifth-highest African goalscorer in the Premier League era with 96 goals. His all-action style of play suited the demands of the English top-flight perfectly. It made him a huge hit at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers.
On the international scene, Yakubu was just as impressive. The striker remains Nigeria’s third-highest goalscorer to this day. He scored 21 goals in 58 games, helping the Super Eagles to three third-place finishes in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Yakubu retired in November 2017 after further spells in China, Qatar, and Turkey.
4. Teslim Balogun
Famed for his lethal shooting ability, Teslim Balogun became known as ‘Thunder’ and ‘Balinga’. This was Nigeria’s first professional footballer and Africa’s first qualified coach. He laid the foundations for future generations, cultivating a legacy like none other.
The former Nigerian striker started out at several local sides. He later went to England in 1955 as a letterpress printer. Once in the UK, the Nigerian FA secretary introduced him to Peterborough United manager George Swindin. A successful trial followed, kick-starting his football dream. Balogun played for five clubs, including Queens Park Rangers and Skegness Town.
Almost 50 years after his death, Balogun’s legacy still burns brightly. His great name lives on in several ways. In Lagos, for example, lies a multi-use stadium named: ‘The Teslim Balogun Stadium’.
3. Segun Odegbami
Nicknamed ‘Mathematical’ for his precise and tactical style of play, Segun Odegbami was the full package. He had intelligence, pace, and stamina. Not to mention a knack for producing excellent crosses and scoring goals, no matter where or when.
The former forward was unique. For one, he graduated college and still made it as a successful footballer. In fact, the RSSSF regards him as one of the 
50 greatest African players of the 
20th century.
Despite only representing Nigeria for five years, Odegbami is their second-highest goalscorer. He supplied 22 goals in 47 caps, winning two AFCON Golden Boot awards. His exploits also led the Super Eagles to AFCON glory in 1980.
As for his club career, Odegbami played almost exclusively for Shooting Stars. Six trophies came his way at the club. These included three Nigeria Premier League titles and the African Cup Winners’ Cup.
2. Rashidi Yekini
Coming second on our list of the greatest Nigerian strikers is the late Rashidi Yekini.
Yekini was a true icon. The star has a special legacy, like none before or after him. He is Nigeria’s all-time record goalscorer on 37 goals in 62 games. He also represented the Super Eagles in seven major competitions, scored their first-ever World Cup goal, and led them to AFCON glory in 1994.
‘The Goalsfather’ won CAF’s version of the African Footballer of the Year in 1993 – the first time a Nigerian had ever done so – and he was also a tremendous hit in Portugal at Vitoria Setubal.
Yekini retired in 2005, aged 41, to pull the curtain on a career that lasted over two decades. He sadly passed away seven years later in 2012.
1. Nwankwo Kanu
Topping our list of the greatest Nigerian strikers is Nwankwo Kanu, the West African nation’s most decorated player.
Kanu rose to prominence by leading Nigeria to FIFA U-17 World Cup success in 1993. His performances in Japan earned him a move to Europe, setting a glorious career in motion. He played for European giants like Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year won 14 major honors in his club career across four different countries including the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, FA Cup, and Eredivisie.
His most famous moment was probably that insane 15-minute hat-trick for Arsenal against Chelsea in October 1999.
On the international scene, Kanu claimed 87 caps and scored 13 goals for Nigeria. He represented the Super Eagles at three World Cups and six AFCON tournaments.
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