The Super Eagles of Nigeria have given the world some memorable moments in football. When they made their World Cup debut in 1994, they emerged the most entertaining team after the eventual winners, the Samba Boys of Brazil.
Before that outstanding performance on the world stage, the Super Eagles had shown the African continent that the story of African Football can never be complete without a mention of the green-white-green boys.
On home soil in 1980, Nigeria played in group A against the Pharaohs of Egypt, Elephants of Ivory Coast and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania. The Green Eagles, as the Super Eagles were then called defeated Tanzania 3-1 before drawing goalless with Ivory Coast.
The last group match against the Egyptians was a must win and Okey Isima turned out to be the Moses that led Nigeria out of Egypt with a 15th minute goal. Nigeria qualified for the semi-finals alongside Egypt while Morocco and Algeria qualified from group B.
Owolabi’s ninth minute strike gave Nigeria a lone goal victory over the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
In the final against Algeria played before 85,000 fans packed inside the Surulere Stadium in Lagos, Segun Odegbami first half brace and Muda Lawal’s icing on the cake in the second half gave Nigeria their first Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Christian Chukwu lifts the AFCON trophy in 1980
Fourteen years later, the Super Eagles storm Tunisia hoping to better their third-place finish in the previous edition in Senegal. The team was certainly in a high spirit having qualified for their first World Cup.
Just as when they won their first AFCON title in 1980, the Super Eagles were drawn against Egypt. Gabon, who turned out to be the weeping boys of the group, was the other member of the group.
Mutiu Adepoju scored in between Rashidi Yekini’s brace as Nigeria defeated Gabon in their opening match. The next match against Egypt ended goalless, but, Egypt won the group on goal difference having beaten Gabon 4-0.
Goal king, Rashidi Yekini, came to Nigeria’s rescue in the quarter-final as his second half brace sank Zaire and pitched Nigeria against the defending champions, Ivory Coast in the semi-final.
After full and extra time the semi-final scores stood at 2-2. Peter Rufai in goal for Nigeria saved two penalty kicks to give Nigeria a 4-2 victory.
Amunike was a hard nut to crack for the Zambians
The final was against Zambia, who despite losing almost their entire first team in a plane crash got to the final. To neutral observers, Zambia would have emerged champions. But Emmanuel Amunike’s brace gave Nigeria a 2-1 victory and their second AFCON title.
Stephen Keshi won the AFCON as captain in 1994 and coach in 2013
Nigeria failed to defend their title in South Africa 1996. But, the next time the storm South Africa for the AFCON, they returned with the trophy. It was in 2013. Confederation of African Football had moved the AFCON year from even to odd years.
Nigeria was drawn in group C against Burkina Faso, Zanbia and Ethiopia. After winning only one and drawing the other two group matches to qualify for the next round behind Burkina Faso, many fans lost hope on the team.
Diehard fans, who still believe in the team had a rethink when they were pitched against star studded Ivory Coast in the quarter final. Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba scored to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over the tournament favorites.
Nigeria crushed Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals before Sunday Mba’s 40th minute goal gave Nigeria a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the final.
This present Super Eagles can win the next AFCON if all Ts and Is are crossed and dotted respectively.
