In recent times, Nigerian football legends, administrators and analysts have all acknowledged former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh as the best defensive midfielder the country has produced in the last six decades, beating other prominent names like John Obi Mikel, Mudashiru Lawal, Wilfred Ndidi and Godwin Achebe in a debate that has continued to excite football fans.
It is the outcome of a detailed study of Nigerian football history by veteran sports journalist, Nnamdi Ezekute, who sought the opinions of former internationals, coaches, administrators and sports experts to assess the players that have defined the demanding defensive midfield role since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
Experts said the position of a defensive midfielder has changed a great deal throughout the decades. In the 1960s, players were predominantly required to defend and clear danger. In the 1970s and later, tactical adjustments implemented by European coaches meant holding midfielders had to break up opposition assaults, dominate play, start counterattacks and sometimes contribute goals. These larger duties became a major factor in evaluating athletes from different eras.
Godwin Achebe, an early pioneer, was celebrated for leading the Green Eagles and taking Nigeria to gold at the 1973 All-Africa Games on his return from a spell overseas during the civil war. He was succeeded by Sani Mohammed. Mudashiru Lawal was one of Nigeria’s top midfielders between 1975 and 1984. Lawal’s stamina, leadership, technical ability and consistency made him one of the strongest candidates for the distinction.
Sunday Oliseh’s arrival in the 1990s transformed attitudes of the post. Oliseh was known for his intelligence, excellent long-range passing, physical presence and tactical awareness and became the heartbeat of Nigeria’s midfield during one of the most successful eras in the Super Eagles’ history. His iconic long-range winner against Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup remains one of the defining moments of his international career, while his ability to protect the back line and spark attacks gained him huge admiration.
Former Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi has rated former national team coach Samson Oliseh higher than John Obi Mikel. Mikel, despite his glittering club career with Chelsea. Both players were good at holding possession and passing the ball, but Amokachi said that Oliseh was better as a leader because he was aggressive, outspoken and influential on his teammates. He also lauded Oliseh’s hallmark passes that usually put attackers like Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George and Emmanuel Amunike in dangerous positions.
Former Lagos State Sports Commission chairman Dr Kweku Tandoh characterised Oliseh as a “thinking footballer” and compared his football intelligence to legends such as Socrates, Franz Beckenbauer, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. Tandoh said Oliseh was in a class of his own because he could anticipate play and control the speed of games.
John Obi Mikel was credited for his outstanding achievements; including winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. However, many respondents felt he was transformed into a defensive midfielder later in his career and lacked the all-round influence Oliseh consistently showed for both club and country. However, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City has been hailed as one of the best defensive midfielders of the contemporary era, although other analysts say he still needs a lengthier international legacy to be considered among Nigeria’s all-time greats.
There were differing opinions among the fans of Mudashiru Lawal, Godwin Achebe and Sunday Oliseh but there was a strong consensus that Oliseh was the best Nigerian defensive midfielder of the last 60 years. His tactical nous, technical proficiency, leadership and durability still make him the benchmark by which every new generation of Nigerian holding midfielders is judged.
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