Mikel, Taribo West, Oruma, Okechukwu Among Ten Oldest Nigerians To Play In Champions League

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