Nigeria's last AFCON winning team - Who were the players and where are they now?

 

Three times African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners Nigeria last won the AFCON title in 2013 when they defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.

Former Premier League stars like John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa were part of the Nigerian team that last lifted the continental title.

Interestingly, Burkina Faso, who finished second, comprised of players like Bakary Kone and Saïdou Panandétiguiri who played in India at some point in their career. While Kone played for Kerala Blasters during the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020/21 season, Panandétiguiri played for FC Pune City in 2014.

Vincent Enyeama - GK

The goalkeeper began his professional career at Nigerian club Iborn Stars in 1999. From 2011 to 2018, Enyeama played for Ligue 1 club Lille. He retired from football in 2018. For Nigeria, he appeared in 101 matches between 2002 to 2015.

Efe Ambrose - RB

The full-back made his professional debut in 2006 for Nigerian third division side Kaduna United. He later played for clubs like Celtic and Derby County. In 2021, he joined Scottish top tier club, St. Johnstone FC. Ambrose made his international debut in 2006 and played 51 matches till date.

Kenneth Omeruo - CB

A youth product of Belgian club Standard Liege, the central defender was signed by Chelsea in 2012 but was immediately loaned out to Dutch side ADO Den Haag. Later he played for Middlesbrough, Leganes and three Turkish clubs but never appeared for the Blues. In 2019, Omeruo permanently moved to Leganes. For Nigeria, the player has appeared in 54 international matches.

Godfrey Oboabona - CB

The defender made his debut for Nigerian top division side Sunshine Stars in 2010. In 2017, for a season, Oboabona played for Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli. In 2020, he joined Georgian top-tier club FC Dinamo Batumi.

Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé - LB

The left full-back played for clubs like Rennes, AS Monaco, Braga and Sporting Gijon. He last played for Finnish club HJK in 2019 before terminating his contract with his mutually. For Nigeria, he appeared in 59 international and last played for them in 2018.

Ogenyi Onazi - CM

The central midfielder made his debut for Nigerian club El Kanemi Warriors in 2011 and later played for Serie A side Lazio from 2012 to 2016. In 2021, he joined Turkish top-tier side Denizlispor. For Nigeria, Onazi has appeared in 52 international matches so far. 

John Obi Mikel - CM

The former Chelsea star joined Blues in 2006 and went on to play until 2017. He later played for Middlesbrough, Stoke City. In 2021, Mikel joined Kuwait SC but both parties terminated the contract after just four months in November without him playing a single game. He is currently without a club. Mikel represented the national team from 2005 to 2009 appearing in 91 matches.

Sunday Mba - AM

The attacking midfielder who scored the solitary goal in the final played club football in Nigeria throughout his career except for 2014 when he joined French third division club CA Bastia for a season and the final two seasons of his career when he played for Turkish top-tier club Yeni Malatyaspor. Since 2017, he is without a club. For Nigeria, he appeared in 21 international matches.

Victor Moses - RW

The winger played for Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic before joining Chelsea in 2012 where he spent nine seasons. In between, he played for clubs like Liverpool, Stoke City and Inter Milan on loan spells. Moses appeared in 38 international for Nigeria between 2012 to 2018.

Brown Ideye - LW

The attacker made his professional debut for Nigerian top-tier side Bayelsa United in 2006. Other than several Nigerian clubs, Ideye also played for Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos and Malaga. In 2020, he joined Turkish club Goeztepe. Ideye represented Nigeria in 26 international matches between 2010-2016.

Ikechukwu Uche - ST

The forward began his professional career at Spanish club Racing Ferrol in 2002. He later played for Getafe, Real Zaragoza, Granada and Malaga. He retired from football in 2019 after spending three seasons at Spanish third division club Gimnastic. Uche represented the national team in 46 international matches between 2007 to 2014. Interestingly, he is the younger brother of former FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos and ATK striker Kalu Uche.

Ahmed Musa - Sub

The attacker played for clubs like Leicester City, CSKA Moscow and Nigerian giants Kano Pillars. In 2021, he joined Turkish top division side Fatih Karagümrük S.K.

Juwon Oshaniwa - Sub

The full-back made his professional debut for Nigerian club Kwara United, During his career, he also played for Israeli club SC Ashdod and for Scottish club Heart of Midlothian. In 2018, he joined Nigerian top division side Akwa United. Oshaniwa has played for Nigeria in 21 international matches so far.