Top five youngest debutants for Nigeria ft. Musa & Martins
The Super Eagles are among the best African teams.
Nigeria have produced many world-class players who have gone on to contribute to their success, and because of them the national team remains one of the most successful sides in international football. The Super Eagles’ high status at the international level has been mainly due to their excellent players. They continue to have many such stars.
However, there are only a handful of players who have received a chance to debut for the national team during their teenage years. With this, we take a look at the top five youngest debutants in Nigerian history.
Top five youngest debutants in Nigerian history
| Rank | Name | Age |
| 1 | Ebenezer Harcourt | 15 years old |
| 2 | Nwankwo Kanu | 17 years old |
| 3 | Ahmed Musa | 17 years old |
| 4 | Femi Opabunmi | 17 years old |
| 5 | Obafemi Martins | 19 years old |
5. Obafemi Martins: 19 years old
At the age of 19, Obafemi Martins made his debut for Nigeria at the 2004 Unity Cup, scoring the second goal in the tri-national competition. After making his debut, he was among the youngest debutants in Nigerian history.
After some controversial incidents, his future with the national squad was repeatedly questioned due to his age, which was later resolved. Martins continued to represent Nigeria until 2015.
4. Nwankwo Kanu: 17 years old
Nwankwo Kanu was one of the youngest debutants in Nigerian history. He made his senior debut in 1994 and was a brilliant talent. From 1994 to 2011, Kanu played for Nigeria, making his debut in a friendly match against Sweden.
Kanu was crucial to Nigeria’s overall success early in his career. He had 87 caps and 13 goals for his nation, making him the among the most capped Nigerian players of all time.
3. Ahmed Musa: 17 years old
At the age of 17, Ahmed Musa earned his senior debut for the Nigerian national football team (Super Eagles) in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Madagascar. In 2025, Ahmed Musa announced his retirement from international football. He was one of Nigeria’s highest scorers with 16 goals and the country’s record appearance maker with 111 caps.
His brief, uninspiring tenure at Leicester City may be remembered by Premier League fans, but it was only a small portion of an incredible career. He scored in Nigeria’s semifinal victory over Mali, helping the country win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
2. Femi Opabunmi: 17 years old
Opabunmi Femi Opabunmi also engraved his name in the list of the youngest Nigerian debutants in their history. The player made his senior debut in 2002 against Kenya and also netted against them, making his debut memorable for the national team.
Moreover, he also set a new record when he appeared in the 2002 FIFA World Cup against England in the last group stage match, becoming the third youngest player to ever play in the World Cup finals after Norman Whiteside and Samuel Eto’o. However, his international career was short-lived as he decided to call it a time after a few years.
1. Ebenezer Harcourt: 15 years old
In a 2-0 win over Congo in Group D of the 2024 African Nations Championship on August 19, 2025, Harcourt earned his debut for Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles (Team B) and became the youngest player to play for the Nigeria senior B team.
At the age of 10, Harcourt enrolled in Sporting Lagos Academy, where his quick progress started.Coaches were still astonished by his self-control, self-assurance, and innate ability to stop shots. Despite being almost five years younger than many of his teammates, he has advanced quickly through the ranks over the past year, culminating in his unexpected selection for the national squad.
Who is the most recent youngest debutant in Nigerian history?
15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt made his debut last year.
When did Ahmed Musa make his debut for the national team?
In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.
Who has the most appearances for the Super Eagles?
Ahmed Musa (111).
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.