Nigeria football has produced wealth of talents, who have graced the footballing world with their presence. Numerous talented players have worn the iconic Super Eagles jersey, representing the country on the continental and international stages.
This list takes a look at the top 5 footballers who appeared the most times for the Nigerian national football team.
Ahmed Musa (109 caps)
Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa is the most capped player for the national team with 109 appearances. The only active player on this list, Musa made his debut for the Nigerian team as a 17-year-old in September 2010 against Madagascar in an African Cup of Nations qualifying match.
He is Nigeria’s highest goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup with four goals and remains the only Nigerian to have scored in two editions of the competition, scoring twice in 2014 against Argentina and hitting another brace in 2018 against Iceland. Musa also played a key role as the Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations in 2013, while he also featured in the 2019 and 2023 editions.
Vincent Enyeama (101 caps)
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has the second most appearances for the national team with 101 caps. Enyeama made his debut in May 2002 against Kenya and went on to represent the country in three FIFA World Cup tournaments – 2002, 2010 and 2014.
The former Lille goalkeeper, who is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in the country history, also deputized as captain in place of Joseph Yobo, leading Nigeria to glory in the 2013 African Cup of Nations. He retired from international duties in October 2015.
Joseph Yobo (100 caps)
Joseph Yobo became the first-ever player to make 100 appearances for Nigeria, when he featured in the 2-0 defeat to France in the first knockout round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The former Nigeria captain made his debut in 2002 against Zambia and went on to feature at three editions of the FIFA World Cup and six African Cup of Nation tournaments. He was part of the 2013 AFCON winning team and he retired from international duties in 2014.
John Obi Mikel (91 caps)
The ex-Chelsea midfielder is the footballer with the fourth highest appearances for the Super Eagles with 91 caps. John Obi Mikel featured for Nigeria at the U20 level before making his senior international debut in August 2017, a 1-0 friendly win over Libya.
Mikel also played a huge role as the Super Eagles secured gold medal in the 2013 African Cup of Nations while he also led the country to bronze in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. He retired from international football at the conclusion of the 2019 AFCON, where Nigeria finished third.
Nwankwo Kanu (86 caps)
‘Papilo’ made 86 appearances for the Super Eagles, making him the player with the fifth highest appearances for the country. Nwankwo Kanu’s most memorable moment in a Nigerian jersey was leading the country to a gold medal finish at the 1996 Olympic Games in the United States.
Kanu also featured in three FIFA World Cup tournaments before calling time on his career at the end of the 2010 edition.
