Osayi Samuel Names Nigeria's Top 5 Football Legends

In an exclusive interview with Nigerian sports journalist Kayod Alakija, Super Eagles defender Osayi Samuel named his top five greatest Nigerian football players, notably excluding Finidi George. Samuel, who plays for Nottingham Forest, recognized Rashidi Yekini, the first Nigerian player to score in a FIFA World Cup, as the greatest.

He also included legends Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, and Vincent Enyeama in his list. Samuel, 28 years old, has participated in six matches for Nigeria and contributed to the team's bronze medal win at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they defeated Egypt in the third-place match.

His omission of Finidi George, a key player and coach who led Nigeria to a second-place finish in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has drawn attention. Samuel's insights reflect a deep understanding of Nigerian football history.