Chris Maduewesi
Member
With 2014 just days away from being a wrap, Google as they have done over the years, released a list of the most searched sports people from their Nigerian visitors.
The online search engine keeps a data of activities their visitors come to do once they log on to the site.
Just like sports, Google equally keeps an account of other topics that people are interested in: politics, entertainment and so many other things.
And this year, it has emerged that Stephen Keshi was the most sought after person on Google this year in relation to sports in Nigeria.
Victor Moses was the most searched person in 2013, but didn't even make the top ten this year.
Meanwhile, Blessing Okagbare is the only person on the list who is not a footballer, and also from another gender(female)
Below are the top most searched people this year:
1. Stephen Keshi:
Not surprising that Stephen Keshi tops the list, his uncertain position as the Super Eagles coach made him one of the most discussed topic in Nigerian football this year.
He initially left after leading Nigeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament, with the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) not offering him a new contract.
And his failure to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament after being brought back on the instance of president Jonathan, made him even more popular.
Everything about the Super Eagles this year revolved around Keshi.
2. Ikechukwu Uche
His conflict with Keshi brought him to the limelight with many clamouring for him to be brought back to the national team after being left out in the international wilderness.
He eventually made it back to the team and played in the last two games of the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament as Nigeria failed to secure qualification.
However IK Uche ended the year on a high when he extended his contract with his Spanish club Villarreal until 2017.
3. Ejike Uzoenyi
The former Rangers International player is the third most searched Nigerian sports person this year.
He dazzled this year at the African Nations Championship(CHAN) where he won the MVP, and subsequently secured a lucrative deal with a South African club side, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Uzoenyi was a late replacement for Elderson Echiejile in Nigeria's 2014 World Cup squad to Brazil.
4. Musa Yahaya
Yahaya was one of the stars of the Nigerian team that conquered the world at last year's under 17 World Cup tournament.
Obviously talks about his transfer would have been the dominant search by people who wanted to know more about him.
Yahaya was snapped up by English side Tottenham Hotspurs whom he now plays for.
5. Umar Zango
The Kano Pillars defender has been part of the homebased Eagles team, becoming one of the locally based players to make the list.
He was part of the Nigerian team that played at the 2014 CHAN championship in South Africa.
And he helped Pillars to win a third consecutive Nigeria Professional Football league title.
6. Vincent Enyeama
Super Eagles captain and the long serving goalkeeper of the national team, Enyeama had a fantastic year for both club and country.
The Lille FC shot stopper had a memorable year, finishing with 21 clean sheets in the French Ligue 1.
His heroics despite Nigeria crashing out of the second round of the World Cup stood him out as the one of the shining lights in that team.
7. Blessing Okagbare
The only person on the list who is not a footballer, Okagbare had a fantastic 2014 campaign.
She was very successful in her outings in the Diamond League this year and won double gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Game in Glasgow.
Okagbare brought joy to Nigerians in her field of endeavour, Athletics, inking the country's name amongst the comity of nations.
8. Daniel Amokachi
Super Eagles assistant coach, Amokachi is the eight most searched sports person in Nigeria.
He has been touted in some quarters to take over from Keshi should he been sacked again by the NFF.
9. Rabiu Ali
The Kano Pillars midfielder is the second hombased player in this list, following in the paths of his teammate, Zango.
Ali had a good outing for Nigeria at the 2014 CHAN competition, scoring good goals, netting a spectacular volley against Morocco in that thrilling 4-3 win in South Africa.
He helped Pillars to the Nigerian league title in November.
10. Omatsone Aluko
The Hull City player is the 10th most googled player from this part of the divide.
He starred in the finals of the FA Cup against Arsenal and almost found the net at Wembley.
He was part of Nigeria's squad that played the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers, scoring the two goals in the 2-2 draw against South Africa last month in Uyo.
The online search engine keeps a data of activities their visitors come to do once they log on to the site.
Just like sports, Google equally keeps an account of other topics that people are interested in: politics, entertainment and so many other things.
And this year, it has emerged that Stephen Keshi was the most sought after person on Google this year in relation to sports in Nigeria.
Victor Moses was the most searched person in 2013, but didn't even make the top ten this year.
Meanwhile, Blessing Okagbare is the only person on the list who is not a footballer, and also from another gender(female)
Below are the top most searched people this year:
1. Stephen Keshi:
Not surprising that Stephen Keshi tops the list, his uncertain position as the Super Eagles coach made him one of the most discussed topic in Nigerian football this year.
He initially left after leading Nigeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament, with the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) not offering him a new contract.
And his failure to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament after being brought back on the instance of president Jonathan, made him even more popular.
Everything about the Super Eagles this year revolved around Keshi.
2. Ikechukwu Uche
His conflict with Keshi brought him to the limelight with many clamouring for him to be brought back to the national team after being left out in the international wilderness.
He eventually made it back to the team and played in the last two games of the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament as Nigeria failed to secure qualification.
However IK Uche ended the year on a high when he extended his contract with his Spanish club Villarreal until 2017.
3. Ejike Uzoenyi
The former Rangers International player is the third most searched Nigerian sports person this year.
He dazzled this year at the African Nations Championship(CHAN) where he won the MVP, and subsequently secured a lucrative deal with a South African club side, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Uzoenyi was a late replacement for Elderson Echiejile in Nigeria's 2014 World Cup squad to Brazil.
4. Musa Yahaya
Yahaya was one of the stars of the Nigerian team that conquered the world at last year's under 17 World Cup tournament.
Obviously talks about his transfer would have been the dominant search by people who wanted to know more about him.
Yahaya was snapped up by English side Tottenham Hotspurs whom he now plays for.
5. Umar Zango
The Kano Pillars defender has been part of the homebased Eagles team, becoming one of the locally based players to make the list.
He was part of the Nigerian team that played at the 2014 CHAN championship in South Africa.
And he helped Pillars to win a third consecutive Nigeria Professional Football league title.
6. Vincent Enyeama
Super Eagles captain and the long serving goalkeeper of the national team, Enyeama had a fantastic year for both club and country.
The Lille FC shot stopper had a memorable year, finishing with 21 clean sheets in the French Ligue 1.
His heroics despite Nigeria crashing out of the second round of the World Cup stood him out as the one of the shining lights in that team.
7. Blessing Okagbare
The only person on the list who is not a footballer, Okagbare had a fantastic 2014 campaign.
She was very successful in her outings in the Diamond League this year and won double gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Game in Glasgow.
Okagbare brought joy to Nigerians in her field of endeavour, Athletics, inking the country's name amongst the comity of nations.
8. Daniel Amokachi
Super Eagles assistant coach, Amokachi is the eight most searched sports person in Nigeria.
He has been touted in some quarters to take over from Keshi should he been sacked again by the NFF.
9. Rabiu Ali
The Kano Pillars midfielder is the second hombased player in this list, following in the paths of his teammate, Zango.
Ali had a good outing for Nigeria at the 2014 CHAN competition, scoring good goals, netting a spectacular volley against Morocco in that thrilling 4-3 win in South Africa.
He helped Pillars to the Nigerian league title in November.
10. Omatsone Aluko
The Hull City player is the 10th most googled player from this part of the divide.
He starred in the finals of the FA Cup against Arsenal and almost found the net at Wembley.
He was part of Nigeria's squad that played the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers, scoring the two goals in the 2-2 draw against South Africa last month in Uyo.
