Football is a religion, surely a cliche you might say, but in Nigeria it’s a mantra that the fans commit to heart – it’s our religion.

Its influence is so profound, almost palpable and so it has been for generations – across class, tribe and interestingly gender.

There are no young or old, in fact the richest aspect of Nigeria’s history is football, the one tradition that organically gets transmitted – as a common language and value we share.

While our adoration for Legends of the game like Pele and Diego Maradona is sacrosanct, there have been individuals who through their crafts and personalities have impacted the game – nationally and globally – and imparted in millions of fans.

World Cup Final 1970, Brazilian star Pele holds aloft the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy. (Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Here’s a list of seven Individuals who inspired the game to this day:

Teslim Balogun

Teslim Balogun. Photo | Independent

What’s football without drama? Why do the memories of games we watched or heard narrated become ingrained as though we lived it? We love a good story and in sports it’s even more encapsulating when the denouement is about victory for the underdog.

Teslim Balogun embodied the underdog story, his skills and abilities were not in doubt, but ever the unassuming hero, his career albeit brief has been woven into the folklore of Nigeria football – with some amount of “fable” or “fáábu” as those in the South Western Nigeria will say.

He didn’t rifle a shot that tore throw the India NT goalkeeper or has a ball that burst through the stadium wall and still travels in the forest till this day.

Whatever version of the story you were told as a Child, Nigeria did not lose an international game 100-1 to India and there were no shape shifting players neither.

However, the nonfiction part is that Balogun was a player known for his heart and an educated left foot. He carried his team, and he was introduced, unofficially, to a whole new generation as the true hero of Nigerian football.

Stephen Keshi

Stephen Keshi [NFF]

He was nicknamed the “Big Boss”, among other reasons but particularly for his leadership style in the Eagles, a standard for all those who would wear the armband; till this day.

Sunday Oliseh

Oliseh Sunday competes for the ball with Diego Armando Maradona during the FIFA World Cup 1994 match at Foxboro Stadium. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

A stalwart in his days and one of the best Defensive Midfielders of his generation. Oliseh’s personality divided opinions, but the quality of the player is the standard for Nigeria’s midfield generals.

His influence and style of play is seen in the game till date, Oliseh owned the Midfield and only a few have managed to fit the shoes he left.

Rashidi Yekini

Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria’s first World Cup goal.

A generational player, Yekini was the archetypical Center Forward and his was all natural instincts.

His qualities and skills could be summarized into strength, speed, lethal precision and presence. What he was in his life’s time was only a fraction of the stature after retirement. He went on to become the all-time goal scorer for Nigeria – a record that still stands till date.

Best Ogedegbe

Best Ogedegbe

Nigeria has seen many great goalkeepers, the likes of Emmanuel Okala, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Peter Rufai and Vincent Enyeama. All of them left their marks on the game and could have made picking one name almost impossible.

But, Ogedegbe’s longevity, performances and achievements in an era of football when outfield players dominated was unrivalled. Success for Club and Country, as well as its pioneering nature glamourized the goaltender position.

Mercy Akide

Forward Mercy Akide advances the ball past her opponents during the FIFA Women’s World Cup match. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

Women’s football has always delivered, but the earliest days of the sport when it genuinely rivalled Men’s football for attention was surreal.

That era was and still is its golden generation, led by a fearless Akide. She was the Standard every forward wanted to surpass, and a few have, but not without giving the first real No. 9 her flowers.

Jay-Jay Okocha

Austin Jay-jay Okocha.

Brazil had Pele, Argentina were idolized Maradona for most kids in Nigeria and in diaspora, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha was no doubt “The Guy”.

He was the X-Factor, teammates and coaches would attest, but even more so, Okocha was the fans favorite. His influence transcended the pitch and high up into the bleachers – Nigeria’s iconic No.10, he has made it too hard to find a replacement.