Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has sparked fresh debate about Nigeria’s football history after revealing who he believes was the country’s first genuine superstar.
Speaking on his podcast, the ex-midfielder pointed to late Nigerian legend Stephen Keshi as the man who first embodied global stardom for the Super Eagles, long before the likes of modern icons emerged.
Oliseh explained that Keshi’s influence went beyond his performances on the pitch, describing him as a figure whose presence and professionalism set him apart from his peers at the time.
“He led by example,” Oliseh said, recalling Keshi’s discipline and leadership within the squad. He added that the former Anderlecht defender carried himself with a level of authority that teammates naturally respected.
According to Oliseh, Keshi’s status was already well established even among younger players who grew up watching him, making his rise feel inevitable within the national team setup.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder also highlighted how Keshi’s club commitments reflected his stature. He noted that the defender would fly in from Belgium for national team assignments and return immediately after matches, underlining both his importance and the demands placed on him at the highest level.
Oliseh was clear in his assessment, insisting that there was never any doubt about Keshi’s quality or standing within the squad.
“This man was the first superstar of Nigerian football,” he stated, emphasizing that even his teammates fully embraced that reality.
Keshi, who captained Nigeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1994 and later coached the Super Eagles to another continental title in 2013, remains one of the most influential figures in the country’s football history.
Oliseh’s comments add another layer to the long-standing conversation about Nigeria’s greatest players, but his verdict is firm. For him, before the global fame of players like Jay-Jay Okocha or Nwankwo Kanu, there was Stephen Keshi — the man who first carried the aura of a true superstar.
