From dusty pitches in Jos and Lagos to the dazzling lights of Stamford Bridge and the San Siro, Nigerian footballers have blazed a trail from local obscurity to global fame. Naija to the World is a weekly series that celebrates the incredible journeys of our football icons—stars who first made a name in the Nigerian Professional Football League or grassroots academies before catching the eye of European scouts.
In this third edition, we take another dive into the stories of Nigerian football legends who started their journeys to stardom from the local scene back home.
Ahmed Musa – GBS Academy, JUTH FC & Kano Pillars
The enigmatic forward has brilliantly carved his name into Nigerian folklore. After several years of plying his trade abroad, his second homecoming in 2024 was marked with much fanfare.
Ahmed Musa began his career in Nigeria with the GBS Football Academy. In his early professional years, he was loaned to JUTH F.C. & Kano Pillars F.C. At Kano Pillars, he had his breakthrough and announced his name to the whole country. The young winger previously set the record for most goals scored in a single NPFL season, having found the back of the net 18 times in the 2009/2010 season.
European Clubs started sniffing around him due to His stellar form, and Dutch Club VVV-Venlo acquired his services, beating other European Clubs to the talented teenager. His superb form in the Eredivisie paved the way for a move to The Russian League for a trophy-laden spell with CSKA Moscow. He is the only Nigerian male footballer to score at multiple FIFA World Cup finals and remains the West African country’s all-time record appearance maker.
Foreign Clubs
- VVV-Venlo
- CSKA Moscow
- Leicester City
- CSKA Moscow
- Al-Nassr
- Fatih Karagümrük
- Sivasspor
Taye Taiwo – Gabros International & Lobi Stars
An attacking fullback blessed with a laser-powered left foot and exceptional defensive abilities, Taye Taiwo was special. He started his career in the Nigeria Division 1 (now known as Nigerian National League) club, Gabros International, before moving to the Nigerian top-flight club, Lobi Stars. His stellar performances earned him admirers from Europe, catching the eyes with his dazzling left-footed long-range strikes, and Olympique Marseille ultimately won the race for his signature.
He shook off a rocky start in France to become a guaranteed starter at the Velodrome and established himself as one of the best fullbacks in the French top flight. A fan favourite at Marseille, his ability to score long-range, spectacular efforts endeared him greatly to the fans. He led Les Olympiens to their first Ligue 1 title in sixteen years, clinching a league and cup double in the 2009/2010 season. His lone goal handed the Coupé de la Ligue title to Marseille in 2011. He was at the peak of his powers in France, earning a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year on three occasions and picking up a host of trophies.
Following his departure from Marseille to AC Milan in 2011, his career declined, and he never hit those heights again.
Foreign Clubs
- Olympique de Marseille
- Milan
- Queens Park Rangers
- Dynamo Kyiv
- Bursaspor
- HJK Helsinki
- Lausanne
- AFC Eskilstuna
- RoPS
- Doxa Katokopias
- Palm Beach Stars
- Sant’Angelo
- SalPa
Odion Ighalo – Osun United F.C. & Julius Berger
The Edo-born forward started his football career at Prime (now known as Osun United F.C.), spending his developmental years with the Omoluabi Giants. A move to Julius Berger materialised a couple of years later, and it was during his time with the Bridge Boys that he caught the attention of FIFA Agent Marcelo Houseman, who recommended him to Super Agent Atta Aneke.
Following John Obi-Mikel’s footsteps, Odion Ighalo successfully trialed at Norwegian Club Lyn and was signed permanently. The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer spent one season at Lyn before he was sold to Italian Club Udinese Calcio. He was on their book for six seasons, although he spent most of it on loan. The highlights of his career in Europe came during his time in England, as he helped Watford regain promotion to the Premier League and became the first Nigerian footballer to don the vibrant colors of Manchester United.
Foreign Clubs
- Lyn
- Udinese
- Granada
- Cesena
- Watford
- Changchun Yatai
- Shanghai Shenhua
- Manchester United
- Al-Shabab
- Al-Hilal
- Al-Wehda
Taribo West – Sharks FC, Obanta United, Enugu Rangers, & Julius Berger
Famed for his commanding presence and colourful hairstyles, Taribo West was a stalwart at the heart of the defence for club and country. The Port Harcourt-born center-back started his football career with Sharks FC in his hometown and moved to Obanta United to Kickstart his professional career. West journeyed across different NPFL clubs, returning to Sharks FC before signing up for Enugu Rangers and Julius Berger FC (now known as Bridge FC) in subsequent seasons.
He caught the eyes of European scouts, and following a series of successful trials, French top-flight side AJ Auxerre acquired his services permanently. Auxerre was a massive success as he led the club to their maiden Ligue 1 title in the 1995/1996 season and clinched 2 Coupe de France titles, marking the most successful period in the club’s history.
Taribo West was an unshakable presence for the Nigerian Dream Team in the 1996 Olympics as they clinched the gold medal, playing every minute. A move to Inter Milan ensued afterward, and he became the first African player to win the UEFA Europa League in the 1997/998 season, netting a winner in the extra time of the quarter-finals. He switched to Inter’s crosstown rivals, AC Milan, in 2000 for a short stint and journeyed around Europe upon his departure from Italy.
Foreign Clubs
- Auxerre
- Inter Milan
- AC Milan
- Derby County
- Kaiserslautern
- Partizan Belgrade
- Al-Arabi
- Plymouth Argyle
- Paykan.
Rashidi Yekini – UNTL Kaduna, Shooting Stars, Abiola Babes, Julius Berger, & Gateway United
Popularly known as The Goals Father, the late Rashidi Yekini was a deadly finisher within sight of the goal. The 1993 African Footballer of the Year awardee was unstoppable in front of goal, an irrepressible menace for opposition defenses. A pioneer in Nigerian football, he is one of the most prolific African players in history.
The 2-time AFCON Golden Boot winner and AFCON 1994 Golden Ball winner started his career at local club UNTL Kaduna before he was recruited for Shooting Stars. He arrived at a star-studded Shooting Stars side in 1982 as an unknown 21-year-old, ready to take the league by storm. His exceptional talent was laid bare, and he established himself as a starter in no time. His reputation soared to great heights with Shooting Stars, and a shock disbandment of the team led to an angry exit following their loss in the CAF Champions League final.
His exit opened a new chapter for him in Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Nigeria. He was at the zenith of his career in Portugal, shining brightly for club and country. Coming on the back of a successful session that saw him clinch the top goalscorer in the Portuguese league that season after helping them gain promotion the previous season. In Nigeria’s opening match, he notched the West African country’s first-ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria, laying on another assist to help the team win three-nil.
He departed from Portugal to Greece that summer, moving to Spain. After a short stint in Spain, He returned to Portugal briefly before departing for Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. Eventually, he called time on his playing career with Nigerian club Julius Berger in 2003.
At 41, he made a brief turnaround on his retirement in 2005, joining Gateway United for a short spell. Subsequently, he called the curtain on his football career permanently. Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini, had several iconic moments in the Super Eagles jersey, and his untimely death remains a significant loss for the country.
Foreign Clubs
- Africa Sports
- Vitória Setúbal
- Olympiacos
- Sporting Gijón
- Vitória Setúbal
- Zürich
- CA Bizertin
- Al Shabab
