The French Ligue 1 is one of the top leagues in Europe by any standard. It is one of Europe’s top five leagues.
By the virtue of the league’s attractiveness and media attention; quite a lot of brilliant players, would be world class players have plied their trades in France.
Nigerian players are not exempted on this list as they had also made their marks in the league, the likes Victor Ikpeba, Vincent Enyeama, Taiye Taiwo, Augustine Okocha, Wilson Oruma, John Utaka, and Godwin Okpara to mention a few are the players on this list.
Others who currently are making their marks are Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, FC Girondins de Bordeaux duo of Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja.
In this piece, Netbet NG is focusing on Nigerian players, past and present who have left indelible mark in the French Ligue 1.
PS: The players selected are the best after our parameters such as; impact, performances, quality, ability and stats were considered.
- Victor Osimehn:
Victor Osimhen is not the first Nigerian to play for LOSC Lille, we have had Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Vincent Enyeama, but Victor’s impact is far greater than both retired stars.
This is not a recency bias but when a player who was bought for 12 million euros could be sold for more than 60 million euros just a year after he was signed, then he is worth nailing a place on our list.
The former Wolfsburg striker was named Lille player of the season and was also included French Ligue 1 player of the season for a reason.
Victor Osimhen scored 18 goals in 38 games played for the Ligue 1 side this season. He is one of the most sought after players in Europe.
His impact is so huge that he is valued higher than Cristiano Ronaldo in the latest CIES Football Observatory list of 100 most valuable players.
- Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha:
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha is arguably Nigeria’s most talented, most skillful and most entertaining player. So good, they named him twice, Okocha was one of those players you’d watch and pray your favorite defender doesn’t come close.
Started his career at Enugu Rangers before moving to Borussia Neunkirchen in 1990. After two years at the club, he was signed by Eintracht Frankfurt where he stayed for over four years.
In 1996, Jay Jay joined Fenerbahce where he stayed two year before being snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain.
Within his four years stay at the French side, Okocha wowed fans with his tricky moves and he also scored some really beautiful goals.
He made a total of 112 appearances for the French side, scoring 20 goals in those times.
It is a fact that no Nigerian player past or present played football like he did.
- Taiye Taiwo:
Olympique Marseille signed Taiye Ismaila Taiwo who was just 20-year-old at the time from Lobi Stars as a replacement for ageing Bixente Lizarazu.
Many may have questioned the signing of the Nigerian as a replacement for the great Bixente Lizarazu but after great displays for the French side, he surely silenced his critics.
The former Super Eagles star earned 271 appearances to his name for Marseille and scored well about 23 goals in those games he featured in.
His honours with Marseille include a league title in 2009, two (2) 2011 Coupe de la Ligue as well as two (2) French Super Cups.
In 2011, the prolific left back left for Milan and this doesn’t mean he has made his mark on the French league and earn his legendary status.
- John Utaka
Utaka moved to France in 2002 when he joined Lens from Qatari side, Al-Sadd. He played 123 games for the French team scoring 32 goals before joining Stade Rennais in 2005.
Within his two years spell at Stade Rennes, he scored 28 times in 75 appearances.
In 2007, he left Rennes and signed for Portsmouth where he stayed for four years, winning the FA Cup with the English side.
He later moved back to France with Montpelier, which proved to be his most successful period in terms of trophies.
Utaka played a crucial role in securing Montpellier first Ligue 1 title in its history which secured. He is highly regarded at the club and was appointed as the team’s youth coach.
- Victor Ikpeba:
Nicknamed the ‘Prince of Monaco’, Ikpeba started his European journey in Belgium with RFC Liège, but was snapped up by Monaco in 1993.
Ikpeba scored 76 goals in 217 games for Les Monégasques including the 13 he scored as Monaco romped to the league title in the 96/97 season.
During his time at Monaco under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, Ikpeba was the main star at a club who also had the great Theirry Henry.
He made his international debut while he was at the club, and won the African footballer of the year in 1997.
Within his 6 years stay at the club, Ikpeba won the league title and also a French Super Cup. He left Monaco in 1999.
He is no doubt taking the number one spot
