Nigeria national football team

History

After playing other colonies in unofficial games since the 1930s, Nigeria played its first official game in October 1949, while still a British colony. The team played warm-up games in England against various amateur teams including Dulwich Hamlet, Bishop Auckland and South Liverpool. The team's first major success was a gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa games, with 3rd-place finishes in the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations to follow. In 1980, with players such as John Chiedozie and Tunji Banjo of Leyton Orient, the Super Eagles, led by Muda Lawal and Christian Chukwu, won the Cup for the first time in Lagos. Nigeria won the men's football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, beating Mexico, Brazil and Argentina in the process. They were runners-up in the same event in Beijing, losing to Argentina in a rematch of the 1996 event.

In 1984 and 1988, Nigeria reached the Cup of Nations final, losing both times to Cameroon. Three of the four African titles won by Cameroon have been won by defeating Nigeria. Missing out to Cameroon on many occasions has created an intense rivalry between both nations. Two notable occasions; narrowly losing out on qualification for the 1990 World Cup and then the controversial final of the 2000 African Cup of Nations where a goal scored by Victor Ikpeba during a penalty shoot-out was disallowed by the referee.

Nickname

Nigeria's national team image has undergone much evolution throughout its history. Prior to independence, they were called the Red Devils due to their red topped kits. The name was changed to the Green Eagles after independence in reference to their colors as well as the eagle which adorns the country's state flag. After the run of success in winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, their run to the knockouts at the 1994 World Cup, and the gold medalist Olympic men's national team in 1996, the team was re-dubbed the "Super Eagles". Today, only the senior men's national team uses the nickname. The Women's national team are called the "Super Falcons", and Nigeria's underage teams are nicknamed the "Flying Eagles".

Rivalries

During the life of the Nigerian national team, many important and long running strings of important matches have been played against various nations who could be considered occasional rivals. Of these nations, Ghana is widely considered to be Nigeria's primary rival as the two sides have met one another more than any other opponent. The overall record is dominated by Ghana though Nigeria has enjoyed periods of success. The most notable of these periods are at the earliest points of the rivalry in the 1950s, and the early 2000s. FIFA lists the first official match between the two as a World Cup qualifier match which took place in 1960. However both national teams had already engaged in numerous domestic friendlies and tournaments between themselves and other nations dating back to 1950. The national teams of these two West African countries were formed while both were still protectorates of the British Empire. At that time the modern day nation of Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and Nigeria, prior to adopting their national colors of green and white, wore scarlet tops over white shorts and were known as the "Red Devils". The two sides played for several rivalry and tournament cups during this early period in which full international competition was barred to them.

Nigeria's direct neighbors to the east, Cameroon, have played Nigeria a number of times over the years. The teams have played three times in the African Cup of Nations Finals with Cameroon winning all three meetings. Both carry histories of continental success and World Cup representation that is nearly unrivaled on the African continent.

There is also a long list of competitive matches with Algeria dating back to the 1970s. The two sides met twice in the African Cup of Nations finals, with each nation splitting the win totals. And it was a 1-1 draw in Algeria on October 8, 1993 that enabled Nigeria to claim its first World Cup berth in 1994.

Nigeria's western neighbor, Benin, has played competitive matches with the team since the period of European colonization when they were known as Dahomey. But with only two wins and two draws to Benin's credit, as opposed to Nigeria's fourteen wins, and with the sides having only met six times since 1980 Benin is not regarded as an anticipated opponent.

In four of five World Cup appearances, Nigeria has been drawn in the group stage with two-time champion Argentina and is regarded by many fans as having acquitted themselves well against the footballing giant. All four matches have been won by Argentina, but all ended in one goal margins and have been tightly contested. Currently Nigeria has record of only one victory to Argentina's five, with the sole victory being an international friendly match. Nigeria came closest to defeating Argentina in their first meeting, during which they held a lead for much of the match. This was followed by a Confederations Cup match which saw Nigeria hold the side to a 0-0 draw. The match-up holds much importance to many Nigerian football fans who regard the challenge as an important measuring stick for the ongoing development of Nigerian football. However it means much less to Argentinean fans, who have taken less interest with each passing cycle as Nigeria has continuously failed to engineer a meaningful victory.

Media coverage

The Nigerian football federation currently has an active deal with the parent company of AIT and Ray Power Radio. Internationally, Nigeria's qualifiers and African Cup matches are regularly broadcast abroad by Hong Kong-based beIN Sports and South African broadcaster SuperSport. Nigeria's international friendlies are regularly scheduled in the UK through independent organizers and are marketed to the country's large population of Nigerian expatriates.

Supporters

The Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC) is the primary supporters club for the Nigerian football team. Though the club is most notable at Nigeria's home matches wearing green-themed embroidered outfits specific to the club along with wigs, hats, large sunglasses while dancing, singing, playing drums and trumpets,as well as carrying pom poms, culturally significant objects, inflatable beachballs, and waving flags; they have also shown a presence traveling abroad to support Nigeria in away matches. However, the club's efforts at improving the atmosphere at Nigeria's home and away matches are beset by funding issues, corruption and infighting. The club's current head, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has drawn criticism from its membership and is under pressure to defer the leadership to one of his deputies.

A regular sight at Nigerian home matches is also their brass and percussion band, whose rendition of well-known Highlife songs provides Nigerian home matches with a unique feel. In Nigeria, these performers are occasionally conspicuous with their military uniforms or they may be members of the Football Supporters Club. A popular chant among supporters from all over the country, after a goal scored, is "Oshe Baba!", which means "Thank you father!" in Yoruba.

Kit

The Nigeria national team has traditionally utilized a mostly-solid green on green primary set with white numbering, lettering, and highlights; coupled with all-white reversed secondary kits, all emblematic of the colors of the Nigerian flag. The shade of green has varied over the years. An olive drab-tinged, forest green was frequently favored during the 1980s to the early 1990s, and jade has appeared in each of those decades as well; even harlequin has been utilized. Over the last decade, the team has appeared to settle on the more standard office green which most closely resembles the shade used on the flag. Nigeria's first national teams used a solid scarlet top over white shorts and socks until the country adopted its current colors after its independence.

On 23 April 2015, Nike was announced to be the current supplier of Nigeria's kits after Adidas ended their kit contract with the Nigeria Football Federation. Before that, Nike supplied Nigeria's kit between 1998 and 2003.

Home Stadium

The Abuja National Stadium (also known as National Stadium or Abuja Stadium) serves as the official home stadium of the Super Eagles. Several international matches are played in other stadiums across the country. However, since the construction of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, most of the Super Eagles' important home matches have been played there.

1994 World Cup

Nigeria finally reached the World Cup for the first time in 1994 after years of struggling to get there. They were managed by Clemens Westerhof. Nigeria topped their group which included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece. Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3–0, lost to Argentina 1–2, and reached the second round after a 2–0 victory over Greece. In the second round Nigeria played Italy and took the lead with a goal from Emmanuel Amunike at 25 minutes. Nigeria were within two minutes of qualifying for the Quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup in the game against Italy but Roberto Baggio scored to take the game to extra time. He also scored the eventual winning goal. The game ended 2–1 in favour of the Italians.

1998 World Cup

In 1998 Nigeria returned to the World Cup alongside Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa. Optimism was high due to its manager Bora Milutinović and the return of most 1994 squad members. In the final tournament Nigeria were drawn into group D with Spain, Bulgaria, Paraguay. Nigeria scored a major upset by defeating Spain 3–2 after coming back twice from being 1–0 and 2–1 down. The Eagles qualified for the second round with a win against Bulgaria and a loss to Paraguay. The team's hopes of surpassing its 1994 performance was shattered after a 1–4 loss to Denmark.

2002 & 2006 World Cups

The 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, saw Nigeria again qualify with optimism. With a new squad and distinctive pastel green kits the Super Eagles were expected to build on its strong performances in the 2000 and 2002 African Cup of Nations. Nigeria were drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England. The first game against Argentina started with a strong defence that kept the first half scoreless. In the 61st minute Gabriel Batistuta breached the Nigerian defence to put Argentina in the lead 1–0 and win the game. Nigeria's second game against Sweden saw them take the lead but later lose 2–1. Nigeria then drew 0–0 with England and bowed out in the first round.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup after finishing level on points in the qualification group with Angola, but having an inferior record in the matches between the sides.

2010 World Cup

On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi.

Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute. In its second game Nigeria led early on by a goal from Kalu Uche. A red card against Sani Kaita gave Greece the advantage. Greece scored the equaliser late in the first half and Nigeria conceded the second goal in the second half and lost the game 2–1. In their last group stage match against South Korea, Nigeria took an early lead in the 12th minute off of a great finish by Kalu Uche after a low cross from Chidi Odiah. However, goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chu-Young gave South Korea a 2–1 lead, which looked to be enough for South Korea to advance into the round of 16. However, Nigeria got a chance in the 66th minute that the Super Eagles will probably never forget. On the end of a pass from Ayila Yussuf that was fed through the South Korean defense was none other than Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Once the pass found Yakubu's foot about four yards away from the empty goal, Yakubu pushed the ball wide of the left post to keep South Korea ahead 2–1. Three minutes later, Yakubu was able to calmly finish a penalty to knot the score at two apiece, but the damage was done as Nigeria was unable to score again and the match ended in a 2–2 draw. With this result, Nigeria was eliminated from the 2010 World Cup with just one point, while South Korea advanced into the round of 16 with four points. On 30 June 2010, following the team's early exit and poor showing, the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national football team from international competition for two years. This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.

On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions, but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after. On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup. Four days later, however, the ban was "provisionally lifted" until 26 October, the day after the officially unrecognised National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) dropped its court case against the NFF.

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Nigeria's campaign opened with a disappointing 0–0 draw with Iran. Four days later the team played their second game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A 29th-minute Peter Odemwingie's controversy goal gave Nigeria their first World Cup win since 1998. They faced Argentina some days later : a 3rd minute Lionel Messi goal for the opposition was followed almost instantly with an equalizer by Ahmed Musa. Messi gave Argentina the lead back just before half-time. In the second half Musa leveled the game out again, Lionel Messi was substituted and handed over his captaincy to Marcos Rojo only for Marcos Rojo to put Argentina 3–2 ahead minutes later.

Nigeria lost the match, but still qualified for the round of 16. In the Round of 16 Nigeria faced France, an 18th-minute stabbed shot from Emmanuel Emenike saw the ball in the net, past the French goal-keeper but the goal was ruled off-side by the linesman. Nigeria held them off until the 79th minute when a cross and a Paul Pogba header gifted France the lead. An accidental own goal by Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo in injury time put the result beyond any doubt: Nigeria was out. This is the third time Nigeria is eliminated in the round of 16 and they were not still able to enter the Quarter-finals in the FIFA World Cup.

Road to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup

On 24 June 2016, The Confederation of African Football released the draw for the 3rd round of the World Cup qualifiers which saw Nigeria grouped in what was described as a "group of death"; alongside Zambia, Algeria, and Cameroon. Nigeria started her group stage matches with a 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola and went on to defeat Algeria 3-1 in the second group stage at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

World Cup record

Notes

1963 – 1978

Nigeria first appeared in the Africa Cup of Nation in 1963, They were drawn in a group with Sudan, and the then United Arab Republic, They did not advance to the next stage. The team withdrew from two African Cup of Nations between 1963 and 1974, due to political instability. In 1976, they came back to the Cup of Nations with third-place finishes in both the 1976 and 1978 Africa cup of Nations

1980 – 1990

Nigeria hosted the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and also won their first Africa Cup of Nations Title that year in Lagos. Nigeria came out as runners up three times and had one group stage elimination, between 1982 and 1990. They also failed to qualify for the 1986 African cup of Nations hosted by Egypt.

1992 – 2006

Nigeria appeared again in the African cup of Nations in 1992 and 1994, they finished third in 1992 and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, which was the second time they won the tournament. In 1996 the team withdrew from the tournament due to the political tensions in the country as at that time, they were also banned from entering the 1998 African Cup of Nations. In 2000 they returned to the Cup of Nations and took the runners up. they later finished third place In the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations respectively.

2008 – 2015

In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria ended their campaign in the quarter finals after losing to Ghana. They qualified for 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Angola, but were eliminated by Egypt in the semi-finals. They failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after ending on a 2–2 draw against Guinea with goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Obinna. Nigeria came back with full force in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in South Africa; after playing through the tournament with an unbeaten run, they confronted Burkina Faso in the finals to lift the Cup for the third time. However, they did not qualify for either of the next two tournaments.

*Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

African Nations Championship Record

Nigeria have qualified for two of the last three African Nations Championship. Their first appearance in the tounament was in 2014 when they Lost to Ghana in the semi finals and later beat Zimbabwe 0-1 to take third place in the Tournament. Nigeria qualified for the 2016 African Nations Championship but were eliminated in the group stage.

FIFA Confederations Cup

Nigeria have been in the FIFA Confederations Cup twice, first in 1995 some months after they won the Cup of Nations which was their second African Cup of Nations Title. Nigeria returned to the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013, where they lost to both Spain and Uruguay in the last two group stage matches after beating Tahiti 6–1 in their first match. They lost out chances of qualification to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup after failing to qualify for the 2017 Cup of Nations.

Team Honours and Achievements

Africa Cup of Nations

Winners (3): 1980, 1994, 2013 Runners-up (4): 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000

¹There were three editions of the LG Cup held in 2004 in April, August and October.

Recent Nigeria Results

Nigeria results as of November 12, 2016.

  Win   Draw   Loss

2017

2017 International Fixture Dates

Current squad

The following 25 players were named to the squad for the March 2017 friendlies against Senegal and Burkina Faso.

Caps and goals current as of 22 Mar. 2017. All caps/goals against FIFA members only.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Nigeria squad within the last 12 months.

^INJ: Withdrew because of an injury.

^PRE: Preliminary squad.

All Time Player Records

As of 12 Nov. 2016

Managers

Source