In 2017, we select the best Nigeria players from every position on the football pitch.
Nigerian players who made it into the best Nigerian XI of the year.
Nigerian players all over the world in 2017 strutted their stuff, helping their respective clubs to the best of their proficiencies.
In 2017, we select the best Nigeria player from every position on the football pitch.
Formation: 4:4:2
Goalkeeper: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)
Ikechukwu Ezenwa has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and in 2017 he broke into the Super Eagles team.
Following the dreadful performance of Daniel Akpeyi, Ezenwa was quickly drafted to the Super Eagles squad to help in the remaining games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
He was between the post as the Super Eagles beat Cameroon 4-0, drew the Indomitable Lions goalless away, beat Zambia 1-0 and drew away at Algeria 1-1 (Although FIFA have forfeited the game 3-0 to Algeria to punish Nigeria for using an eligible player).
He was impressive for FC IfeanyiUbah in the 2017 season and was consistent for the Super Eagle Team B who came second at the 2017 WAFU.
Right-back: Daniel Itodo (Plateau United)
Daniel Itodo was one of the most exciting players in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, playing a crucial role in the impressive title-winning side of Plateau United.
Itodo was so good that he presented Plateau United with an extra weapon, tormenting opposition teams with his deadly set-piece and throw-in abilities. In over two seasons he has had more than 10 assists.
His efforts were crowned with the award of Best Defender by the League Bloggers Awards (LBA).
In 2017, he is the best right-back in Nigeria according to Pulse Sports.
Centre-back: William Troost-Ekong (FK Haugesund/Bursaspor)
Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong in 2017 established himself as one of the best Nigerian defenders.
Troost-Ekong had a good year at Norwegian side FK Haugesund before he switched to Turkish side Bursaspor. With Bursaspor, the 24-year-old has continued to be consistent.
He has also finally started feeling at home with the Super Eagles where along with Leon Balogun- together they are called Oyinbo Wall- at the heart of the Super Eagles defence.
He played in all of Super Eagles games of the successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Centre-defence: Leon Balogun (Mainz)
Along with Ekong-Troost, Leon Balogun in 2017 has managed to become a household name in Nigeria due to his impressive performances for the Super Eagles.
Balogun has grown to become one of the leaders of the Super Eagles and was one of the crucial players in the successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
He was included in CAF’s best XI of the qualifying series.
With his increased status in international football, Balogun is also gradually becoming more influential at German club side Mainz.
His role at Mainz also increased and he has become one of their most consistent performers
Left back: Chima Akas (Enyimba)
One of the most popular players in the NPFL, Chima Akas has been a consistent performer in the Nigerian league for more than a year.
In 2017, he got even better, impressing for Enyimba FC who overcame early struggles to finish third in the NPFL.
The defender also played for Nigeria at the 2017 WAFU Cup and made the bench in the official Team of the Tournament.
Midfield: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Wilfred Ndidi arrived in England in January 2017 and amidst initial troubles at Leicester City, the Nigerian never looked out of place.
He took to the Premier League like a duck to water and has been one of the most consistent performers in English top flight.
Despite three managerial changes in Leicester City since his arrival, the 20-year-old has remained one of the first names on Leicester City’s starting XI.
Midfield: John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C)
John Ogu is one of the most consistent Nigerian midfielder of the year, a key player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. who have dominated Israeli Premier League for two years.
Ogu played an influential role in their league title win and finally got his chance to play for the Super Eagles.
He scored Nigeria’s only goal in their 1-1 draw away at Algeria -a game which FIFA have forfeited 3-0 to Algeria as punishment to Super Eagles for fielding an eligible player in the game.
He also played 90 minutes in the friendly win over 4-2 and have given Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr a selection headache ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Midfielder: Alex Iwobi (Arsenal)
Although he has not been able to match his performances of his break-out year (2016) Alex Iwobi has continued his steady rise to becoming one of the best African players of his generation.
He won the FA Cup title with Arsenal although he didn't play in the final. He, however, played when Arsenal beat Chelsea to win the Community Shield in August and impressed in that game.
He has started most of Arsenal’s biggest games this season and also the sparks of last year are still missing, Iwobi continues to be an important member of Arsene Wenger’s men.
It is for the Super Eagles that the 21-year-old has shone brightest, scoring Nigeria’s only goal in their 1-0 win over Zambia in October to seal the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Iwobi was unplayable as Nigeria beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly game in November, scoring a brace.
Forward: Victor Moses (Chelsea)
Victor Moses had his best year yet in 2017, playing a critical role in Chelsea’s Premier League winning season and being one of the stand-out Super Eagles players in the success 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Moses became so essential for Chelsea that it was difficult for them to maintain shape when the Nigerian was missing. The penetration, width and pace he brought from the right side, won him so many critical plaudits last season.
Moses made 22 consecutive Premier League starts from September 2016 to April 2017. 28 league starts and 33 league appearances in total this season.
He is the Nigerian player with the most Premier League appearances for a title-winning team ever.
Striker: Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva)
After helping Hapoel Be’er Sheva to win their first Israeli Premier League title 2016, Anthony Nwakaeme stepped up in 2017 to help his team defend the title.
He scored 14 goals in 23 league appearances earning him the award for the best player in Israel. He also played a huge part in their second consecutive Israel Super Cup win.
His good form for Hapoel Be’er Sheva ensured he got a Super Eagles call-up.
Forward: Henry Onyekuru (KAS Eupen and Anderlecht)
Henry Onyekuru can be considered the 2017 break-out star of Nigerian football. The forward was simply breathtaking in 2017 with KAS Eupen.
With Eupen last season, Onyekuru was incredible performances netting 24 goals and making 14 assists to become one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe.
He attracted the focuses of a slew of top European clubs including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain before signing for Everton.
From Everton, he moved back to Belgium to join Anderlecht on loan and he has continued with his impressive form this season.
The 20-year-old in 2017 also broke into the Super Eagles and after his debut, he is one of the stars expected to make a late push for a 2018 FIFA World Cup slot.