Nigeria's Super Falcons have long dominated women's football in Africa, producing stars who have conquered both the continent and the world. These legends have left lasting legacies, inspiring generations of Nigerian girls to dream big.
Here is a look at the Top 7 Best Super Falcons Players of All Time, ranked by their achievements, influence, and impact on Nigerian football.
7. Florence Omagbemi
Florence Omagbemi is a true pioneer of Nigerian women's football. As a combative midfielder and leader, she captained the Super Falcons to numerous victories and later became a successful coach.
Achievements:
Won four Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) titles as a player.
Became the first woman to win AWCON as both a player and a coach (2016).
Represented Nigeria at four FIFA Women's World Cups.
Omagbemi's leadership helped build the early dominance of Nigerian women's football, and her coaching success proved her enduring influence.
6. Maureen Mmadu
Often underrated, Maureen Mmadu was a midfield dynamo who served as the heartbeat of the Super Falcons for over a decade. She became popular for her work rate, ball-winning ability, and intelligence, and was a vital part of Nigeria's midfield engine.
Achievements:
Represented Nigeria in four FIFA Women's World Cups (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007).
Played in several AWCON-winning teams.
Holds over 100 international caps, one of the highest in Nigeria's history.
Her consistency and reliability make her one of the unsung legends of Nigerian football.
5. Rita Chikwelu
Rita Chikwelu has been a model of consistency and versatility for the Super Falcons for well over a decade. Starting as a forward before evolving into a central midfielder, her technical ability and vision have kept her relevant through multiple generations of the team.
Achievements:
Multiple AWCON titles (2006, 2010, 2016, 2018).
Represented Nigeria at three FIFA Women's World Cups.
Had a successful club career across Europe, notably in Sweden and Spain.
Chikwelu's ability to reinvent herself has kept her central to Nigeria's midfield success into her 30s.
4. Nkiru Okosieme
Nkiru Okosieme, nicknamed "Headmistress" for her incredible aerial ability, was a key figure in the early dominance of the Super Falcons. She provided leadership during Nigeria's first ventures into major international tournaments.
Achievements:
Captained Nigeria to their first-ever AWCON triumph in 1991.
Played at Nigeria's first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.
One of the youngest captains ever to lead the national team.
Played in three FIFA Women's World Cups.
Okosieme's legacy is built on being a pioneering leader who helped lay the foundation for future success.
3. Mercy Akide
Mercy Akide was Nigeria's first global star in women's football. With blistering pace, deadly finishing, and a commanding presence up front, she put Nigerian women's football on the world map.
Achievements:
African Women's Footballer of the Year (2001).
Represented Nigeria in three FIFA Women's World Cups (1995, 1999, 2003).
Played a key role in Nigeria's historic run to the quarter-finals of the 1999 Women's World Cup.
Akide was the face of Nigerian women's football at a time when global recognition for African women players was rare, paving the way for others to follow.
2. Asisat Oshoala
Asisat Oshoala is the symbol of modern Nigerian women's football, combining power, pace, and global stardom. She has raised the bar for African footballers both in Africa and in Europe.
Achievements:
Record five-time African Women's Footballer of the Year (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022).
UEFA Women's Champions League winner with Barcelona Femeni.
First African woman to win the Spanish Pichichi (top scorer) award.
Scored goals at multiple FIFA Women's World Cups.
Instrumental in Nigeria's AWCON triumphs.
Still active at the highest level, Oshoala's combination of personal accolades and team success is unmatched in African football history.
1. Perpetua Nkwocha
When it comes to pure dominance, no one compares to Perpetua Nkwocha. A prolific striker with a deadly eye for goal, Nkwocha reigned supreme in African women's football for years.
Achievements:
Four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year (2004, 2005, 2010, 2011).
Scored four goals in a single match at AWCON 2004 - a tournament record.
Represented Nigeria at four FIFA Women's World Cups.
Top scorer in multiple AWCON tournaments.
Helped Nigeria to five AWCON titles, often carrying the attack single-handedly.
Nkwocha's scoring records, dominance at AWCON, and consistent performances for over a decade make her the undisputed queen of Super Falcons history.
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