Nigeria’s strongest FC 27 Ultimate Team XI: Nnadozie and Osimhen lead the way

EA Sports FC 27’s highest-rated Nigerian players are Chiamaka Nnadozie and Victor Osimhen, both rated 85, but a combination of men’s and women’s stars allows players to build a highly competitive Nigeria-themed Ultimate Team squad.

EA Sports has released its FC 27 player ratings ahead of the new Ultimate Team campaign, with the game’s mixed-team format making it possible to select footballers from both the men’s and women’s games.

Ademola Lookman is Nigeria’s third-highest-rated player at 83, while Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade is rated 81 and Juventus midfielder Jennifer Echegini has an 80 rating.

Using the official ratings, Soccernet.ng has selected the strongest possible Nigerian starting XI, while also taking into account positional balance and the attributes likely to be most effective in-game.

The proposed formation is 4-2-3-1, with an average Overall rating of 78.5. Position changes and chemistry choices could make the side even more effective, but this is the team we would start with.

Nnadozie is the clear choice in goal. The Nigeria international is the country’s highest-rated player in FC 27, with an 85 OVR card that includes 87 pace, 88 dribbling and 84 physicality.

Those numbers make the Brighton goalkeeper an obvious selection. She is also one of only two Nigerian players rated 85 or higher, alongside Osimhen.

At right-back, Ola Aina earns the place ahead of Bright Osayi-Samuel, who is rated 71, and Ryan Alebiosu, who has a 70 rating.

The Nottingham Forest defender has an OVR of 79, together with 87 pace, 77 defending and 75 physicality. His speed should be particularly valuable when recovering against counter-attacks, while his defensive statistics make him a more natural fit than moving an attacking player into the position.

Calvin Bassey is the first centre-back on the team sheet. The Fulham defender is rated 78 and possesses 77 pace, 77 defending and an impressive 85 physicality.

His strength is a major asset in a Nigeria-themed squad, while his pace should prevent him from being exposed too often against fast forwards.

Bassey is partnered by Hamburg defender Jordan Torunarigha, whose 74 OVR card includes 79 pace, 73 defending and 81 physicality.

Although Torunarigha is five points below Bassey in the Overall ratings, his pace and strength complement the Fulham player well. Together, they offer a balance of defensive power and recovery speed.

Felix Agu is selected at left-back. The Werder Bremen defender is rated 74, the same as Zaidu Sanusi, but his 87 pace gives him the advantage for this particular side.

Agu also has 76 dribbling and 70 defending, making him a useful option for moving quickly up and down the flank. Sanusi remains a credible alternative, but Agu’s speed and ball-carrying ability make him the preferred choice.

Ndidi provides the defensive protection in midfield. The experienced midfielder has a 75 OVR rating, with 73 defending and 80 physicality.

Those attributes make him the team’s natural ball-winner. He can shield the back four and allow the more creative players ahead of him to play with greater freedom.

The inclusion of the Super Falcons players significantly raises the quality of the midfield and attack.

Echegini, rated 80, is Nigeria’s fourth-highest-rated player and the country’s second-highest-rated midfielder on the list. Her card features 76 pace, 79 dribbling and 67 defending, adding technical quality alongside Ndidi’s physical presence.

She is well suited to linking the defensive and attacking thirds.

Ajibade is another key part of the side. The Atletico Madrid player has an 81 OVR rating, with 87 pace, 85 dribbling and 79 shooting.

Her ability to combine speed, close control and a scoring threat makes her an ideal attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Her versatility and energy should also allow her to create space and support Osimhen from central areas.

Lookman takes the role on the right of the attacking three. His 83 rating makes him Nigeria’s third-highest-rated player and the highest-rated Nigerian outfield player apart from Osimhen.

The card includes 86 pace, 83 shooting and 84 dribbling. Although EA lists Lookman as a striker on the Nigerian ratings page, those attributes make him an obvious candidate for a wide attacking position in a balanced XI.

Nathan Tella is selected on the opposite flank. The Bayer Leverkusen winger has 90 pace, making him the fastest of the higher-rated Nigerian options in this squad.

His 80 dribbling should help him carry the ball into dangerous areas. Chidera Ejuke, rated 76, is a strong alternative, offering 89 pace and 83 dribbling for players who want a more direct dribbling threat.

Osimhen leads the attack. The Galatasaray striker is rated 85, level with Nnadozie as Nigeria’s highest-rated male player.

His card combines 89 pace, 84 shooting and 86 physicality, giving him the attributes required to lead a powerful Ultimate Team attack. His strength and speed should make him difficult to contain, especially with Lookman, Tella and Ajibade supplying support from behind and the flanks.

There is also considerable attacking depth available from the substitutes.

Gift Monday, rated 80, offers 88 pace and 80 dribbling and could be particularly dangerous against tiring defenders. Alex Iwobi, also rated 80, provides a technical midfield option with 82 dribbling and 79 passing.

Omorinsola Babajide has a 77 rating, along with 84 pace, 77 shooting and 78 dribbling, making her a useful attacking substitute.

Paul Onuachu, also rated 77, offers a different approach. His 84 physicality and 78 shooting could be valuable when a more direct style is needed.

Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke, both rated 76, provide further pace and dribbling options from wide positions. Victor Boniface, also on 76, gives the squad another powerful striker, while Maduka Okoye offers goalkeeping cover for Nnadozie.