Nigeria has produced some great strikers over the years. Some of them have made a name for themselves in the Premier League. However, who has scored the most goals and made a lasting impact? Here are Top 5 Nigerian Strikers in the Premier League. Bet on football here.
Top 5 Nigerian strikers: Yakubu Ayiegbeni
When you think of the greatest African strikers of all time, the likes of George Weah, Didier Drogba, and Samuel Eto’o spring to mind. However, one Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni should be among those three. To date, no Nigerian striker has scored more goals (95) in the Premier League than Yakubu. In fact, the only Africans to score more are Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor. He began his Premier League tenure with Portsmouth, before impressive spells with the likes of Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn. In his 252 outings in the Premier League, Yakubu hit double figures in six different seasons. Although he did not get to play for the top teams in Europe, he made his mark in arguably the best league in the world. Therefore, this makes him the greatest Nigerian striker in English’s top flight and first in Top 5 Nigerian Strikers to play in the Premier League.
Top 5 Nigerian strikers: Nwankwo Kanu
Kanu is probably one of Africa’s finest players. Kanu’s accolades speak for itself. In 273 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth, Kanu scored 54 goals. Who can forget that sensational hat-trick against Chelsea, that inspired the Gunners to a stunning comeback from 2-0 down? He has won the Champions League and three Eredivisie titles, three FA Cups, two Premier League titles. Add that to two African Player of the Year awards. Overall he may be one of Africa’s greatest players to have ever played in the Premier League.
ON THIS DAY: In 1999, Nwankwo Kanu scored a hat-trick in the final 15 minutes as Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea.
“KANU BELIEVE IT?!” 😱 pic.twitter.com/4x5ElDknvp
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 23, 2019
Efan Ekoku
Efan Ekoku’s final Premier League appearance came in 1999, meaning he may not be a household name to many football fans now. However, his seven seasons brought 52 goals from 158 appearances for Norwich City and MK Dons. He also played an influential role in the Canaries third-place finish in the 1993 season.
Shola Ameobi
Ameobi spent 14 years with Newcastle United in both the Premier League and the Championship, earning him cult hero status. The Nigerian striker made 299 league appearances scoring 43 goals. In most of those appearances, he came off the bench. Longevity and an eye for goal in the top flight made him a great squad player. Ameobi has also made the second most substitute appearances in Premier League history with 142.
Peter Odemwingie
Six seasons in the Premier League brought 36 goals for Peter Odemwingie. He laced his boots for West Brom, Stoke City and Cardiff. One thing stands out for Odemwingie during his stint in the Premier League. He won three Player of the Month Awards, more than Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, Didier Drogba, and Ryan Giggs (all with two). Odemwingie also scored 15 goals in the 2010/2011 season, finishing 5th in the goalscoring charts.
5 – The top five scorers from the 2010-11 Premier League campaign:
20 | Dimitar Berbatov
20 | Carlos Tevez
18 | Robin van Persie
17 | Darren Bent
15 | Peter OdemwingieFinishers. #OptaPLSeasons https://t.co/1q14qV6jvC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2020
Honourable mentions
Obafemi Martins – 28 goals, Victor Anichebe – 26, Kelechi Iheanacho – 19, Odion Ighalo – 16. Iheanacho and Ighalo are the top Nigerian strikers playing in the Premier League at the moment.