{
  "id": 11168851,
  "title": "Everton celebrate Nigeria@66 with Amokachi, Aiyegbeni, Yobo, other stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/everton-celebrate-nigeria-66-with-amokachi-aiyegbeni-yobo-other-stars",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T10:44:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/everton-celebrate-nigeria66-with-amokachi-aiyegbeni-yobo-other-stars/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Everton, a Premier League football club, has joined Nigerians in commemorating the country's 66th Independence Anniversary. On Thursday, October 1, the English club shared a striking graphic on its social media platforms, featuring several Nigerian players who have represented the club. The image, showcasing Nigeria's green and white colors, bore the bold inscription \"Nigeria\" and \"Independence Day,\" alongside pictures of Nigerian footballers associated with Everton.\n\nEverton has a long-standing connection with Nigerian football, having fielded numerous Super Eagles and Super Falcons players throughout the years. Among these players are Daniel Amokachi, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe, and Alex Iwobi, who have all donned the Everton jersey. Data compiled by FBref identifies a total of nine players who have represented both Everton and Nigeria, including Henry Onyekuru, Hope Akpan, and Coby Ebere.\n\nAmokachi, Everton's first African player, joined the club in 1994 and helped them clinch the FA Cup in 1995. He scored two memorable goals in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. Yobo, another prominent figure, joined Everton in 2002 and became the first African player to captain the club, according to Goal. Yakubu, a prolific spell at Goodison Park, Anichebe, who started his career in Everton's youth system, and Iwobi, who joined from Arsenal in 2019, also have ties to the club. The latest Independence Day gesture by Everton continues their tradition of acknowledging Nigeria on October 1, a day that marked the country's 66th Independence Anniversary.",
  "summary": "Premier League club Everton has celebrated Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a graphic featuring Nigerian stars who have played for the club. Read More: https://punchng.com/everton-celebrate-nigeria66-with-amokachi-aiyegbeni-yobo-other-stars/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Nigeria @66: Citizens can’t celebrate amid poverty, insecurity – Sowore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/nigeria-66-citizens-cant-celebrate-amid-poverty-insecurity-sowore",
        "published": "2026-10-01T08:26:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Nigeria not truly independent – Sowore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/nigeria-not-truly-independent-sowore",
        "published": "2026-10-01T08:50:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}