Top Ten Most Influential Nigerian Players In 2017 (6-4) : Iwobi, Ekong, Shehu

All Nigeria Soccer continues the round up of the ten best Nigerian performers in the concluding year.

(6)Abdullahi Shehu — The Anorthosis Famagusta defender has no doubt, had a tremendous year with the Cyproit giants. Arguably the best performing and dependable fullback in the Super Eagles setup currently, the 24-year old has looked indispensable and it is no surprise he was one of the few players who featured in all Nigeria's World Cup qualification series.

(5)William Troost-Ekong — Following his breakout year with the successful Rio Olympics Dream Team, there arose a meme fast making the rounds that the Bursaspor defender alongside his national team partner, Leon Balogun epitomizes everything about a certain Jaap Stam and Alessandro Nesta and it is very easy to see why.

William was almost impenetrable at the rear guard for both club and country this year and the hallmark of his consummate performances culminated in his nomination for CAF's African Player of 2017.

(4)Alex Iwobi — In all frankness, Iwobi is easily the symbol of Nigeria's attacking strength and having apparently inherited the very precious things that is pace and skill which once found abode in his uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha, he had more than justified it time and again this year.

The Arsenal starlet has remarkably offered every one a timely reminder of his inestimable potential and it was somewhat fitting that it was his solitary strike against a plucky Chipolopolo side that guaranteed the Super Eagles participation in Russia next year.

Emmanuel Chinaza