Mikel, Taribo West, Oruma, Okechukwu Among Ten Oldest Nigerians To Play In Champions League
Published: October 20, 2016
Former Fenerbahce stopper and Super Eagles skipper Uche Okechukwu is the oldest Nigerian player to feature in the Champions League.
The central defender was aged 34 years 26 days when he started the Yellow Canaries 2-1 loss to Karibe Ojigwe’s Bayer Leverkusen at ülker Stadyumu FB Å�ükrü SaracoÄ�lu Spor Kompleksi on October 23, 2001.
A year before the appearance of Okechukwu, ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu had been the oldest Nigerian footballer to play in the Champions League, aged 33 years and 8 days while defending the colours of FC Zurich against AC Milan.
John Utaka, who has not officially announced his retirement, was 30 years, 10 months, 26 days when Montpellier drew 1-1 with Schalke 04 on December 4, 2012.
Ex-Nigeria U17s captain Wilson Oruma is fourth on the list followed by former Partizan Belgrade stopper Taribo West.
Ten Oldest Nigerians To Feature In Champions League
1) Uche Okechukwu - Fenerbahce - 34 years, 26 days
2) Ike Shorunmu - FC Zurich - 33 years, 8 days
3) John Utaka - Montpellier - 30 years, 10 months, 26 days
4) Wilson Oruma - Marseille - 30 years, 9 months, 3 days
5) Taribo West - Partizan Belgrade - 29 years, 7 months, 9 days
6) Vincent Enyeama - Lille - 29 years, 1 month, 19 days
7) John Obi Mikel - Chelsea - 28 years, 10 months, 16 days
8) Chinedu Obasi - Schalke 04 - 28 years, 5 months, 4 days
9) Godwin Okpara - PSG - 28 years, 2 months, 1 day
10) Chidi Nwanu - RSC Anderlecht - 27 years, 9 months, 17 days
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
The central defender was aged 34 years 26 days when he started the Yellow Canaries 2-1 loss to Karibe Ojigwe’s Bayer Leverkusen at ülker Stadyumu FB Å�ükrü SaracoÄ�lu Spor Kompleksi on October 23, 2001.
A year before the appearance of Okechukwu, ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu had been the oldest Nigerian footballer to play in the Champions League, aged 33 years and 8 days while defending the colours of FC Zurich against AC Milan.
John Utaka, who has not officially announced his retirement, was 30 years, 10 months, 26 days when Montpellier drew 1-1 with Schalke 04 on December 4, 2012.
Ex-Nigeria U17s captain Wilson Oruma is fourth on the list followed by former Partizan Belgrade stopper Taribo West.
Ten Oldest Nigerians To Feature In Champions League
1) Uche Okechukwu - Fenerbahce - 34 years, 26 days
2) Ike Shorunmu - FC Zurich - 33 years, 8 days
3) John Utaka - Montpellier - 30 years, 10 months, 26 days
4) Wilson Oruma - Marseille - 30 years, 9 months, 3 days
5) Taribo West - Partizan Belgrade - 29 years, 7 months, 9 days
6) Vincent Enyeama - Lille - 29 years, 1 month, 19 days
7) John Obi Mikel - Chelsea - 28 years, 10 months, 16 days
8) Chinedu Obasi - Schalke 04 - 28 years, 5 months, 4 days
9) Godwin Okpara - PSG - 28 years, 2 months, 1 day
10) Chidi Nwanu - RSC Anderlecht - 27 years, 9 months, 17 days
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Latest News
- Finidi includes Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, Everton, Bolton, Vitoria legends in dream Super Eagles XI
- Nottingham Forest boss provides update on Awoniyi after striker's withdrawal from Ghana, Mali games
- 'Fantastic couple just like in Nigerian national team' - Ex-Napoli star has his say on Osimhen v Lookman duel
- Confirmed: Premier League's youngest debutant signs professional contract with Arsenal
- Spain aiming to cap-tie Barcelona striker on the same date Super Falcons face Banyana Banyana in Pretoria
- Kevin Zeroli reaches an agreement in principle to sign new contract at AC Milan
- Super Eagles-eligible midfielder back in the treatment room at Chelsea
- 16-year-old box-to-box Nigerian midfielder trains with Arsenal first team pre-Manchester City
- Manu Garba returns to Golden Eaglets as head coach; assistant roles for Ugbade, Bala Nikyu
- Trabzonspor eye move for Nwakali's teammate as potential replacement for Southampton loanee Onuachu
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football