Super Eagles stars Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella are on the cusp of joining a list of Nigerians who have won league titles in Europe.
The duo have contributed immensely to the success of Bayer Leverkusen this season, as the Bundesliga side is on the verge of making history.
Still unbeaten this season, Leverkusen will win their first Bundesliga title ahead of perennial winners – Bayern Munich.
Several Nigerians have succeeded during their stay in Europe by winning league titles.
Who are the Super Eagles stars with the most European League titles? Our foray in this piece will centre around the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie and the Belgian Jupiler League.
The first Super Eagles star to win a European League title
Hundreds of Nigerians have and still ply their trade in European leagues. Once upon a time, it was almost unthinkable that a Nigerian would leave the shores of Nigeria and become a household name in Europe.
Discounting Nigerians who were born in Europe, the title of first Nigerian to leave the shores of Nigeria for Europe is credited to Stephen Keshi.
The ‘Big Boss’ also became the first Nigerian to win a European league title.
The former Super Eagles captain and coach helped Anderlecht win the Belgium Jupiler in the 1990/91 season.
Super Eagles stars with the most European league titles
Nwankwo Kanu (Ajax & Arsenal) – 5 titles
When it comes to winning league titles, Nwankwo Kanu tops the list of Super Eagles stars. The former Ajax and Arsenal forward won his first league title with Ajax in 1994.
Fresh from conquering the world at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Dutch giants Ajax snapped him up for an undisclosed fee.
He won three straight league titles with Ajax, with the 1995/96 season his most successful in terms of goals. He scored 13 league goals from 30 appearances.
Kanu also won two league titles with Arsenal in the 2001/02 and 2003/04 seasons.
Fnidi George (Ajax) – 3 titles
Finidi George arrived at Ajax at the same time as Nwankwo Kanu. The mercurial winger, touted as one of the best in his days, had his most successful European sojourn with Ajax.
He was also part of the Super Eagles team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.
Finidi spent three years with Ajax and won the Eredivisie thrice. He had 85 caps for the Dutch giants, scoring 18 goals.
He is the second most successful Super Eagles player to win a league title in Europe.
Celestine Babayaro (Anderlecht & Chelsea) – 2 titles
Celestine Babayaro was known as the glamour boy of the Super Eagles. He was good-looking and equally suave on the pitch.
He made his berth within Europe with Anderlecht in 1994. The left-back saw his three-year sting in Belgium produce one league title.
Babayaro moved to Chelsea in 1997, where he spent eight years, winning the English Premier League in the final year.
Mikel Obi (Chelsea) – 2 titles
After a protracted tussle with Manchester United over the teenage Mikel Obi, Chelsea won the battle for his signature and joined the Blues in 2006.
It was a long and productive marriage that saw him win the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and the Premier League twice (2009/10, 2014/15) in his 11-year stay at the club.
Victor Moses (Chelsea) – 2 titles
Victor Moses has been around England, playing for Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham, but it was at Chelsea he had his most success.
He won two League titles, with the second being the most memorable as he played under Antonio Conte as a wing-back.
Chidi Nwanu (Anderlecht) – 2 titles
Chidi Nwanu was one of the most uncelebrated Super Eagles stars ever to win a league title in Europe.
The defensive stalwart was why Stephen Keshi took a back seat in the Super Eagles en route to the USA 1994 World Cup.
He did not last in the Super Eagles but left a lasting impression. He won two league titles with Anderlecht (1993/94, 1994/95).
Sunday Oliseh (Ajax, Borussia Dortmund) – 2 titles
Sunday Oliseh is another Super Eagles star who is well-travelled in Europe. He has played for several European clubs, which include RFC Liège, Reggiana, 1. FC Köln, Ajax and Juventus.
He is one of the best midfielders to ever play for the Super Eagles. He is one of seven Nigerians to win a European league title two or more times.
Oliseh won his first league title with Ajax (1997–98). He also became the first Nigerian to win the Bundesliga. He achieved the feat with Borussia Dortmund (2001/02).
| Super Eagles European League winners | |||
| 1 | Nwankwo Kanu (5) | Ajax | 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 |
| Arsenal | 2001/02, 2003/04 | ||
| 2 | Finidi George (3) | Ajax | 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 |
| 3 | Celestine Babayaro (2) | Anderlecht | 1994/95 |
| Chelsea | 2004/05 | ||
| 4 | John Obi Mikel (2) | Chelsea | 2009/10, 2014/15 |
| 5 | Victor Moses (2) | Chelsea | 2014/15, 2016/17 |
| 6 | Chidi Nwanu (2) | Anderlecht | 1993/94, 1994/95 |
| 7 | Sunday Oliseh (2) | Ajax | 1997–98 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2001/02 | ||
| 8 | Emmanuel Dennis (2) | Club Brugge | 2017/18, 2019/20 |
| 9 | Stephen Keshi | Anderlecht | 1990/91 |
| 10 | Daniel Amokachi | Club Brugge | 1991/92 |
| 11 | Andrew Uwuigbe | K Lierse SK | 1996/97 |
| 12 | Victor Ikpeba | Monaco | 1996/97 |
| 13 | Wilon Oruma | Lens | 1997/98 |
| 14 | Tijani Babangida | Ajax | 1997/98 |
| 15 | Gbenga Okunowo | Barcelona | 1998/99 |
| 16 | Obafemi Martins | Inter Milan | 2005/2006 |
| 17 | Victor Obinna Nsofor | Inter Milan | 2008/09 |
| 18 | Aminu Sani | Club Brugge | 2002/03 |
| 19 | Manasseh Ishiaku | Club Brugge | 2004/05 |
| 20 | Olufemi Oladapo | Anderlecht | 2006/07 |
| 21 | Kennedy Nwanganga | Club Brugge | 2010/11 |
| 22 | Moses Simon | Gent | 2014/15 |
| 23 | Mikel Agu | Club Brugge | 2015/16 |
| 24 | David Okereke | Club Brugge | 2019/20 |
| 25 | Victor Osimhen | Napoli | 2022/23 |
| 26 | Alhassan Yusuf | Royal Antwerp | 2022/23 |
| 27 | Chidera Ejuke | Royal Antwerp | 2022/23 |
This article was most recently revised and updated 9 months ago
