That is the question I asked 10 very seasoned and well-renowned Nigerian football aficionados.<\/p>\n
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Nigeria has had very many Captains (great and small) of the senior national team, either the Green Eagles<\/em><\/strong> or the Super Eagles<\/em><\/strong>, at different times in 60 years. Each one of them had their time in the sun of Nigerian football. Some shone brighter than others, lasted longer and impacted more significantly.<\/p>\n In separating the giants from the Lilliputians, however, some of the captains stand out as exceptional leaders of the national team, impacting and influencing the team\u2019s fate, both on and off the field for a long period of time. These captains were well respected by players and officials, and were a part of important landmark victories and achievements.\u00a0\u00a0Without any disrespect to all the great players that have led the country as Captain of the senior national team at one time or the other, easily and in my humble opinion, the following stand some distance apart from the rest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They\u00a0 are:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The following are the responses of the 10 wise men. They turn out to be surprising, simple, straightforward and easy choices.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stephen Keshi<\/strong>. Statistically played 62 matches but scored more goals for the country than any captain \u2013 10 goals \u2013 a leader by example on the field.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christian Chukwu<\/strong>. He led a team packed full of talented players and succeeded. That is the mark of a great leader.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stephen Keshi.<\/strong> Most influential captain with longevity in that position. He commanded the respect of players and officials, that\u2019s why they called him the Big Boss<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christian Chukwu<\/strong>. He won medals as Captain in 1976 (Bronze), 1978 (Bronze) and 1980 (Gold). Respected by everyone, particularly all players, for his commitment, patriotism, and discipline.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stephen Keshi<\/strong>. Quintessential captain. He defined 2 generations of Nigerian football. Spearheaded the crystallization of players from amateur to professional football. Captained in Nigeria, in Africa and in Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stephen Keshi<\/strong>. For the period of his reign he was the controlling factor in Nigerian football. In good and in bad times the players and the coach were completely with him. He achieved everything, and is well respected by all.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christian Chukwu.<\/strong> True leader, human, humane, dominant, not domineering, got the job done, and was well respected.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stephen Keshi<\/strong>. He had all the attributes of a leader – charisma, style, passion, command, respect, authority.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christian Chukwu<\/strong>: Was very first captain to lead and to win the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 1980, and was declared Player of the Tournament \u2013 the first Nigerian. He was a trail<\/em> blazer<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" That is the question I asked 10 very seasoned and well-renowned Nigerian football aficionados. Nigeria has had very many Captains (great and small) of the senior national team, either the Green Eagles or the Super Eagles, at different times in 60 years. Each one of them had their time in the sun of Nigerian…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nigerias-greatest-players"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\n\n
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