Nigeria national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Nigeria women's national football team.

Nigeria
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Super Eagles
AssociationNigeria Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachAugustine Eguavoen
CaptainWilliam Troost-Ekong
Most capsAhmed Musa (105)
Top scorerRashidi Yekini (37)
Home stadiumMoshood Abiola National Stadium
FIFA codeNGA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 32 Increase 4 (10 February 2022)[1]
Highest5 (April 1994)
Lowest82 (November 1999)
First international
Flag of the British West Africa Settlements (1870–1888).svg Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 8 October 1949)[2]
Biggest win
 Nigeria 10–1 Dahomey 
(Lagos, Nigeria; 28 November 1959)
Biggest defeat
 Gold Coast and United Kingdom British Togoland 7–0 Nigeria 
(Accra, Gold Coast; 1 June 1955)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1994)
Best resultRound of 16 (1994, 1998, 2014)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances19 (first in 1963)
Best resultChampions (1980, 1994, 2013)
African Nations Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2014)
Best resultRunners-up (2018)
WAFU Nations Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2010)
Best resultChampions (2010)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1995)
Best resultFourth place (1995)
Medal record
African Games
Gold medal – first place 1973 Lagos Team
Silver medal – second place 1978 Algiers Team
Summer Olympics
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Team
Silver medal – second place 2008 Beijing Team
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team

The Nigeria national football team represents Nigeria in men's international football. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), they are three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, with their most recent title in 2013. In April 1994, the Nigerian national football team was ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings, the highest FIFA ranking position ever achieved by an African football team. Throughout history, the team has qualified for six of the last seven FIFA World Cups (as of 2018), missing only the 2006 edition and reaching the round of 16 on three occasions. Their first World Cup appearance was the 1994 edition. The team represents FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History[]

The Nigeria "UK Tourists" national team prior to their tour of the UK in 1949. The team were known among the West African nations at the time as the "Red Devils" due to their red shirts.

After playing other colonies in unofficial games since the 1930s,[4] 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 Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet, Bishop Auckland, and South Liverpool. Nigeria's match against Marine A.F.C. at Rossett Park drew 6,000 spectators, a record for the small ground.

1963–1980[]

Nigeria first appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1963, when they were drawn in a group with Sudan, and the then United Arab Republic. They did not advance to the next stage.

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 Segun Odegbami and Best Ogedegbe, the team, led by Christian Chukwu, won the Cup for the first time in Lagos. Nigeria Olympic men's football team won the football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, beating Mexico, Brazil and Argentina in the process. They were runners-up in the same event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, losing to Argentina in a rematch of the 1996 Final of the event.[5][6]

In 1984,1988 and 2000,[7] Nigeria reached the Cup of Nations final, losing to Cameroon. Three of the five 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. Three notable occasions; narrowly losing out in the 1988 African Cup of Nations, qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup, and then the controversial final of the 2000 African Cup of Nations where a kick taken by Victor Ikpeba during the penalty shoot-out was adjudged not to have crossed the goal-line by the referee.[8]

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 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 Africa 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.

Countries qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup are shown in dark green
Clemens Westerhof managed the team from 1989 through the 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, 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. In 1996 the team withdrew from the tournament under pressure from the country's military dictator Sani Abacha due to the criticism received from the tournament hosts South Africa and especially its president Nelson Mandela, for the execution of Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. Nigeria was subsequently banned from entering the 1998 African Cup of Nations.

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. This is currently the only World Cup where Nigeria qualified for without playing Argentina in the tournament finals.

In 2000 they returned to the Cup of Nations and were the runner-up and subsequently finished in third place at the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.

2002 and 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 Argentina would go on to 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.[9]

2008–2017[]

Egypt versus Nigeria lineup at 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Uzomedia

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 Ghana in the semi-finals. They failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after ending the qualifiers with a 2–2 draw against Guinea with goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Obinna.

Nigeria came back in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in South Africa; after playing through the tournament with an unbeaten run, they defeated 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.[10]

2010 World Cup[]

On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi.[11]

Nigeria played against South Korea at 2010 FIFA World Cup

Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a controversial Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute.[12][13] 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, on the end of a pass from Ayila Yussuf that was fed through the South Korean defense was none other than Yakubu, 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 leave South Korea still ahead 2–1. Three minutes later, Yakubu was able to calmly finish a penalty to knot the score at two apiece, but 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.[14] This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.[15]

On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions,[16] but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after.[17] On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup.[17] Four days later, however, the ban was "provisionally lifted" until 26 October, the day after the officially unrecognised players' union - National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) dropped its court case against the NFF.[18]

2014 World Cup[]

Line-ups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia & Herzegovina

Nigeria's campaign in the 2014 FIFA World Cup opened with a disappointing 0–0 draw against Iran. Four days later the team played their second game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A controversial 29th-minute Peter Odemwingie goal gave Nigeria their first World Cup win since 1998. They faced Argentina another four 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 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.

2018 World Cup[]

Nigeria vs Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria vs Argentina at the 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 their group stage matches with a 2–1 win over Zambia in Ndola[19] and defeated Algeria 3–1 in their second match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.[20] They went on to beat Cameroon 5–1 home and away in a back to back contest.[21]

The Super Eagles of Nigeria became the first African team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Zambia 1–0 in Uyo.[22][23][24] On 3 June 2018, coach Gernot Rohr unveiled a 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[25] Nigeria lost their first match of the tournament 0–2 to Croatia in Kaliningrad,[26] before they won 2–0 in the second match against brave Iceland,[27] with Ahmed Musa scoring both goals.[28] Nigeria had a huge chance to qualify to the next round as Argentina was demolished 3–0 by Croatia. Despite this advantage, they lost 2–1 in their last group stage match against Argentina,[29] with one goal by Victor Moses.[30] For this defeat, and followed with Iceland's defeat to Croatia, Nigeria missed the opportunity to advance to the round of 16 and got eliminated from the tournament.[31]

2019 Africa Cup of Nations[]

The Super Eagles started their campaign at the 2019 AFCON by defeating Burundi 1–0 in group B opening match. They went on to defeat Guinea and lost 2–0 to Madagascar in their final group stage match. The round of 16 saw the national football team of Nigeria defeating Cameroon 3–2 with goals coming from Jude Ighalo and Iwobi, they later went on to confront South Africa in the quarter-finals of the tournament. An 89th-minute header from Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead over South Africa and the match ended 2–1 in favour of Nigeria. Nigeria faced Algeria in the semi-finals and were knocked out of the tournament after a 95th minute free kick from Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria the lead. The Super Eagles later faced Tunisia in a third pace match which they won 1–0 with the only goal coming from Ighalo which made him the top scorer of the tournament.

2021 Africa Cup of Nations[]

On 18 July 2019, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the draw for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. The Super Eagles were grouped in group L alongside Lesotho, Benin, and Sierra Leone. Nigeria started out by defeating Benin 2–1 at Uyo in their first group match and later went on to beat Lesotho 4–2 in an away match. In March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), postponed all AFCON qualifiers indefinitely.[32] Subsequently, on 30th June 2020, CAF rescheduled the 2021 African Cup of Nations from 2021 to 2022, to take place from 9th January to 6th February 2022.[33] The qualifiers resumed on 9th November 2020,[34] and the Nigeria national team was one of the qualified 24 teams.[35] The competition started on 9th January, and Nigeria was the only team in the tournament to win all three group stage matches after defeating Egypt 1-0, Sudan 3-1, and Guinea-Bissau 2-0.[36] However, the Super eagles of Nigeria lost 1–0 to the Tunisia national team in a last-16 game on 23 January, 2022.[37]

Team image[]

Argentina versus Nigeria in a friendly match on 14 November 2017

Kits and crest[]

The Nigeria national team has traditionally used 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 colours of the Nigerian flag. The shade of green has varied over the years. An olive drab-tinged, forest green was frequently favoured during the 1980s to the early 1990s, and jade has appeared in each of those decades as well; even harlequin has been used. 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 colours after its independence.[38]

On 23 April 2015, Nike was announced to be the supplier of Nigeria's kits after Adidas ended their kit contract with the NFF.[39][40] Before that, Nike supplied Nigeria's kit between 1998 and 2003.

Kit suppliers[]

Kit supplier Period Notes
Germany Erima 1980–1984[41]
United Kingdom Admiral 1984–1987[41]
Germany Adidas 1988–1994[41]
United States Nike 1994–2004
Germany Adidas 2004–2014[42]
United States Nike 2015–present

Kit deals[]

Kit supplier Period Contract
announcement		 Contract
duration		 Value Notes
United States Nike 2015–present
2015-04-23
 1 May 2015 – 30 October 2018 (3 years & 6 months)[43] Total $3.75m / 743m Naira[44]
2018-11-20
 1 November 2018 – 30 October 2022 (4 years) Undisclosed[45] The new deal is said to be worth significantly
more than the $3.75 million on the previous deal.

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.[46] The name was changed to the Green Eagles after independence in reference to the Nigerian state flag as well as the eagle which adorns the country's coat of arms. There had been deliberations for a while heading to the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were still called the Green Eagles, but at a reception after the tournament, the team's name was officially changed to the "Super Eagles".[47][48] Today, only the senior men's national team uses the nickname. The women's national team is called the "Super Falcons", and Nigeria's underage male teams are nicknamed the "Flying Eagles" & the "Golden Eaglets".

Media coverage[]

The Nigerian football federation currently has an active deal with the parent company of AIT and Ray Power Radio.[49] Internationally, Nigeria's qualifiers and African Cup matches are regularly broadcast abroad by the multi-platform international sports network, beIN Sports and South African broadcaster SuperSport.[50] Nigeria's international friendlies are regularly scheduled in the UK through independent organisers are marketed to the country's large population of Nigerian expatriates.

Supporters[]

Nigerian football supporters at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

Though the club is most notable at Nigeria's home matches wearing green-themed embroidered outfits specific to the club along with wigs, hats and 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 travelling abroad to support Nigeria in away matches.[51][52] However, the club's efforts at improving the atmosphere at Nigeria's home and away matches are beset by funding issues, corruption and infighting.[53] 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.[54]

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.[55] A popular chant among supporters from all over the country, after a goal scored, is "Oshe Baba!", which means "Thank you father!" in Yoruba.

Rivalries[]

Ghana[]

Main article: Ghana–Nigeria football rivalry

Many important matches have been played against various nations who have been occasional rivals. Of these nations, Ghana is widely considered Nigeria's primary rival as the two sides have met one another more than any other opponent, as well as being two of the most successful national teams in Africa. The record is dominated by Ghana although Nigeria has enjoyed periods of success. The most notable of these periods are the early contests during the 1950s, and matches that took place in the early 2000s.

Ghana vs. Nigeria in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-Final

FIFA lists the first official match between the two as a World Cup qualifier match in 1960. However both national teams had already engaged in competitive matches dating back to 1950.[56] The national teams of these two West African countries were formed during the time in which both remained protectorates of the British Empire. At that time the modern-day nation of Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. Nigeria, prior to adopting the national colours of green and white, wore scarlet tops over white shorts and were known as the "Red Devils".[38] The two sides played for several rivalry and tournament cups during this period in which full international competition was barred to them.

Cameroon[]

Nigeria's neighbours to the east, Cameroon, have also played Nigeria a number of times over the years. The teams have met three times in the final of the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon winning each time. Both carry histories of continental success and World Cup representation that is nearly unrivaled on the African continent.

Their rivalry began in 1960 and since then, Nigeria has proved to be a more dominating team, but in all three AFCON Final matches at 1984, 1988 and 2000, Cameroon have all prevailed over Nigeria.

Nigeria has qualified for six FIFA World Cup finals, advancing from the group stage three times (1994, 1998 and 2014), getting knocked out in the round of 16 all three times, while Cameroon has qualified seven times, advancing from the group stage only once (1990) though they made it to the quarter-finals in that edition.

Other African nations[]

There is also a number 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. It was a 1–1 draw in Algeria on 8 October 1993 that enabled Nigeria to claim its first World Cup berth in the 1994 edition of the tournament. Nigeria since then had an undefeated streak to Algeria, until the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when Algeria prevailed over Nigeria.

Nigeria's western neighbour, Benin, has played competitive matches with the team since the period of European colonisation when they were known as Dahomey. But with only two wins and two draws to Benin's credit against Nigeria's fourteen wins, and with the sides having only met six times since 1980, Benin remains a lightly regarded opponent.

Argentina[]

Nigeria starting eleven versus Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

In five of its first six World Cup appearances, Nigeria was drawn in the group stage with two-time champion Argentina and is regarded by many fans as having acquitted themselves fairly against the footballing giant.[57] The fixture is the most common in the competition's history involving an African nation.[58] All five matches have been won by Argentina, but all were by a one-goal margin (2–1 in 1994, 1–0 in 2002, 1–0 in 2010, 3–2 in 2014 and 2–1 in 2018) and have been tightly contested. To date Nigeria has recorded two wins against Argentina's six, with the victories occurring during friendly matches. Nigeria came close to defeating Argentina in their first meeting, during which they held a lead for some minutes of the match. This was followed by a Confederations Cup match in 1995 which saw Nigeria hold the South Americans to a 0–0 draw. Below full international level, their Olympic teams also faced off in the gold medal match in 1996 (3–2 to Nigeria), and 2008 (1–0 to Argentina). The final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was also played between them; both Argentina goals in their 2–1 win were scored by Lionel Messi, who would go on to find the net for the senior team in the 2014[59] and 2018[60] World Cup fixtures.

The match-up holds some importance to many Nigerian football fans who regard the challenge as an important measuring stick for the development of Nigerian football. However although it means less to Argentinean fans, matches against Nigeria are always seen as needed to be played with caution.[61][62][63][64]

Home stadium[]

Abuja home stadium

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium (formerly known as National Stadium, Abuja) 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.

Super Eagles match venues[]

Stadium Capacity Commissioned City State/Territory Ref
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium 30,000 2012 Uyo Akwa Ibom [65][66]
Stephen Keshi Stadium 22,000 2018 Asaba Delta State
Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium 38,000 2015 Port Harcourt Rivers [67]
Abuja National Stadium 60,491 2000 Abuja FCT
Lagos National Stadium 45,000 1972 Surulere Lagos
U. J. Esuene Stadium 16,000 1977 Calabar Cross River
Teslim Balogun Stadium 24,325 1984 Surulere Lagos
Obafemi Awolowo Stadium 25,000 1960 Ibadan Oyo
Sani Abacha Stadium 16,000 1998 Kano Kano
Ahmadu Bello Stadium 16,000 1965 Kaduna Kaduna
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium 22,000 1986 Enugu Enugu
Liberation Stadium 16,000 Port Harcourt Rivers

Recent results and fixtures[]

Main article: Nigeria national football team results (2020–present)

  Win   Draw   Loss

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2021[]

27 March 2021 AFCON Q Benin  0–1  Nigeria Porto-Novo, Benin
17:00 UTC+1 Report
  • Onuachu 90+3'
 Stadium: Stade Charles de Gaulle
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
30 March 2021 AFCON Q Nigeria  3–0  Lesotho Lagos, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Teslim Balogun Stadium
Referee: Fabricio Duarte (Cape Verde)
4 June Friendly Nigeria  0–1  Cameroon Wiener Neustadt, Austria
20:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Wiener Neustadt
Attendance: 0
Referee: Harald Lechner (Austria)
8 June Friendly Cameroon  0–0  Nigeria Wiener Neustadt, Austria
18:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Stadion Wiener Neustadt
Attendance: 0
Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber (Austria)
3 July Friendly Mexico  4–0  Nigeria Los Angeles, United States
20:00 (UTC−7)
Report Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Attendance: 53,258
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)
3 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Nigeria  2–0  Liberia Lagos, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Teslim Balogun Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Kouassi Attisso Attiogbe (Togo)
7 September 2022 World Cup qualification - Group C Cape Verde  1–2  Nigeria Mindelo, Cape Verde
15:00 15:00 UTC−1
  • D. Tavares 19'
 Report
  • Osimhen 30'
  • Rocha Santos 76' (o.g.)
 Stadium: Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
7 October 2022 World Cup qualification Nigeria  0–1  Central African Republic Lagos, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Teslim Balogun Stadium
Referee: Abdelaziz Bouh (Mauritania)
10 October 2022 World Cup qualification Central African Republic  0–2  Nigeria Limbe, Cameroon
14:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Limbe Stadium
Referee: Louis Hakizimana (Rwanda)
13 November 2022 World Cup qualification Liberia  0–2  Nigeria Tangiers, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
  • Osimhen 15' (pen.)
  • Musa 90+4' (pen.)
 Stadium: Stade Ibn Batouta
Referee: Youssef Essrayri (Tunisia)
16 November 2022 World Cup qualification Nigeria  1–1  Cape Verde Lagos, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
  • Osimhen 1'
 Report
Stadium: Teslim Balogun Stadium
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

2022[]

11 January 2021 AFCON Nigeria  1–0  Egypt Garoua, Cameroon
17:00
Report Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
Referee: Bakary Gassama (Gambia)
15 January 2021 AFCON Nigeria  3–1  Sudan Garoua, Cameroon
17:00
Report
Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
Referee: Victor Gomes (South Africa)
19 January 2021 AFCON Guinea-Bissau  0–2  Nigeria Garoua, Cameroon
20:00 Report
Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
23 January AFCON Round of 16 Nigeria  0–1  Tunisia Garoua, Cameroon
Report
Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium
Referee: (Senegal)
24–26 March 2022 World Cup qualification 1st Leg Ghana  v  Nigeria Cape Coast, Ghana
Stadium: Cape Coast Sports Stadium
27–29 March 2022 World Cup qualification 2nd Leg Nigeria  v  Ghana Abuja, Nigeria
Stadium: Moshood Abiola National Stadium

Personnel[]

The Current Nigerian Super Eagles managerial staff is made up of a technical adviser who serves as the coach in charge of full international matches and a chief coach who serves as the first assistant coach. The Second Assistant coach is in charge of the home-based Super Eagles as well as the CHAN tournament and other home based competitions. Other positions also include the technical assistants and the goalkeeper trainer. Augustine Eguavoen is the Super Eagle's Technical Adviser, he has held this position since 2021.[68]

Position Name
Technical Adviser Nigeria Augustine Eguavoen
Interim Head coach Nigeria Augustine Eguavoen
Chief Coach Nigeria Emmanuel Amunike
Assistant Coach II Nigeria Salisu Yusuf
Assistant coach III Nigeria Joseph Yobo[69]
Goalkeeping coach Nigeria Alloysius Agu

Coaching history[]

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players[]

The following players were called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[70]

Caps and goals current as of 23 January 2022 after the match against Tunisia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Maduka Okoye (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 22) 17 0 Netherlands Sparta Rotterdam
16 1GK Daniel Akpeyi (1986-08-03) 3 August 1986 (age 35) 18 0 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs
23 1GK Francis Uzoho (1998-10-28) 28 October 1998 (age 23) 19 0 Cyprus Omonia
27 1GK John Noble Barinyima (1993-06-06) 6 June 1993 (age 28) 0 0 Nigeria Enyimba
2 2DF Ola Aina (1996-10-08) 8 October 1996 (age 25) 25 0 Italy Torino
3 2DF Jamilu Collins (1994-08-05) 5 August 1994 (age 27) 26 0 Germany SC Paderborn
5 2DF William Troost-Ekong (captain) (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 28) 58 3 England Watford
6 2DF Semi Ajayi (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 28) 17 0 England West Bromwich Albion
12 2DF Zaidu Sanusi (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 (age 24) 10 0 Portugal Porto
20 2DF Chidozie Awaziem (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 25) 24 1 Turkey Alanyaspor
21 2DF Tyronne Ebuehi (1995-12-16) 16 December 1995 (age 26) 10 0 Italy Venezia
22 2DF Kenneth Omeruo (1993-10-17) 17 October 1993 (age 28) 59 1 Spain Leganés
26 2DF Olisa Ndah (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 24) 4 0 South Africa Orlando Pirates
4 3MF Wilfred Ndidi (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 25) 48 0 England Leicester City
8 3MF Frank Onyeka (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 24) 5 0 England Brentford
10 3MF Joe Aribo (1996-07-21) 21 July 1996 (age 25) 16 2 Scotland Rangers
13 3MF Chidera Ejuke (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 (age 24) 8 0 Russia CSKA Moscow
18 3MF Alex Iwobi (1996-05-03) 3 May 1996 (age 25) 55 9 England Everton
25 3MF Kelechi Nwakali (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 23) 4 0 Spain Huesca
7 4FW Ahmed Musa (1992-10-14) 14 October 1992 (age 29) 105 16 Turkey Fatih Karagümrük
11 4FW Henry Onyekuru (1997-06-05) 5 June 1997 (age 24) 16 2 Greece Olympiacos
14 4FW Kelechi Iheanacho (1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 25) 42 11 England Leicester City
15 4FW Moses Simon (1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 (age 26) 48 6 France Nantes
17 4FW Samuel Chukwueze (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999 (age 22) 23 4 Spain Villarreal
19 4FW Taiwo Awoniyi (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 (age 24) 4 1 Germany Union Berlin
24 4FW Umar Sadiq (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 25) 5 1 Spain Almería
28 4FW Peter Olayinka (1995-11-16) 16 November 1995 (age 26) 5 0 Czech Republic Slavia Prague

Recent call-ups[]

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Stanley Nwabili (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Nigeria Lobi Stars v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
GK Ikechukwu Ezenwa (1988-10-16) 16 October 1988 (age 33) 20 0 Nigeria Heartland v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021 PRE
DF Leon Balogun (1988-06-28) 28 June 1988 (age 33) 42 1 Scotland Rangers v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
DF Shehu Abdullahi (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 29) 37 0 Cyprus Omonia v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
DF Kevin Akpoguma (1995-04-19) 19 April 1995 (age 26) 4 0 Germany 1899 Hoffenheim v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
DF Valentine Ozornwafor (1999-06-01) 1 June 1999 (age 22) 2 0 Belgium Charleroi v.  Cape Verde, 7 September 2021
DF Adeleke Adekunle (2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 19) 1 0 Nigeria Enyimba v.  Cape Verde, 7 September 2021
DF Calvin Bassey (1999-12-31) 31 December 1999 (age 22) 0 0 Scotland Rangers v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
DF (1995-06-18) 18 June 1995 (age 26) 1 0 Nigeria Enyimba v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF Temitope Olusesi (1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Nigeria Rangers International v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 20) 1 0 Nigeria Plateau United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF (2000-01-15) 15 January 2000 (age 22) 1 0 Sweden Häcken v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF (1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 22) 0 0 Nigeria Rivers United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF 0 0 Nigeria Kwara United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
DF (1992-02-16) 16 February 1992 (age 30) 1 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Nahda v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021 PRE
DF (2001-11-16) 16 November 2001 (age 20) 0 0 Nigeria Kwara United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021 PRE
DF Izuchuckwu Anthony (1997-11-03) 3 November 1997 (age 24) 0 0 Israel Hapoel Haifa v.  Cameroon, 8 June 2021
MF Samuel Kalu (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 24) 16 2 England Watford v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
MF Bonke Innocent (1996-01-20) 20 January 1996 (age 26) 2 0 Sweden Malmö v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
MF Kingsley Michael (1999-08-26) 26 August 1999 (age 22) 1 0 Italy Bologna v.  Cape Verde, 7 September 2021
MF Peter Etebo (1995-11-09) 9 November 1995 (age 26) 39 2 England Watford v.  Liberia, 3 September 2021
MF Anayo Iwuala (1999-03-20) 20 March 1999 (age 23) 5 0 Tunisia Espérance v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
MF Anthony Shimaga (1999-08-24) 24 August 1999 (age 22) 2 0 Portugal Feirense v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
MF (1999-12-18) 18 December 1999 (age 22) 1 0 Nigeria Akwa United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
MF Ibrahim Olawoyin (1997-12-01) 1 December 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Turkey Ankara Keçiörengücü v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
MF (1997-12-28) 28 December 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Nigeria Rivers United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
MF Dayo Ojo (1994-10-10) 10 October 1994 (age 27) 5 1 Nigeria Remo Stars v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021 PRE
MF (2001-07-02) 2 July 2001 (age 20) 0 0 Spain Real Oviedo Vetusta v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021 PRE
MF Abraham Marcus (2000-01-02) 2 January 2000 (age 22) 2 0 Portugal Portimonense v.  Cameroon, 8 June 2021
MF Samson Tijani (2002-05-17) 17 May 2002 (age 19) 1 0 Austria Liefering v.  Cameroon, 8 June 2021
MF Vincent Onovo (1995-12-10) 10 December 1995 (age 26) 0 0 Denmark Randers v.  Cameroon, 8 June 2021
MF Michael Olise (2001-12-12) 12 December 2001 (age 20) 0 0 England Crystal Palace v.  Benin, 27 March 2021 PRE
FW Odion Ighalo (1989-06-16)16 June 1989 (aged 32) 36 16 Saudi Arabia Al-Shabab 2021 Africa Cup of Nations WD
FW Victor Osimhen (1998-12-29) 29 December 1998 (age 23) 17 9 Italy Napoli v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
FW Paul Onuachu (1994-05-28) 28 May 1994 (age 27) 15 3 Belgium Genk v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
FW Terem Moffi (1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 22) 3 0 France Lorient v.  Central African Republic, 7 October 2021 INJ
FW Sunusi Ibrahim (2002-10-01) 1 October 2002 (age 19) 3 1 Canada Montréal v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW Sunday Adetunji (1997-12-10) 10 December 1997 (age 24) 1 0 North Macedonia Shkupi v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW Charles Atshimene (1996-08-17) 17 August 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Portugal Feirense v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW (2000-06-28) 28 June 2000 (age 21) 1 0 Nigeria Kwara United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW 0 0 Nigeria Plateau United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 26) 0 0 Nigeria Rangers International v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW (2001-06-06) 6 June 2001 (age 20) 0 0 Nigeria Rivers United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW (2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 20) 0 0 Nigeria Katsina United v.  Mexico, 3 July 2021
FW Simeon Nwankwo (1992-05-07) 7 May 1992 (age 29) 4 0 Italy Salernitana v.  Cameroon, 4 June 2021 PRE

INJ Withdrew because of an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.

Records[]

As of 23 January 2022[71]
Players in bold are still active with Nigeria.

Most appearances[]

Ahmed Musa is Nigeria's most capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Ahmed Musa 105 16 2010–present
2 Vincent Enyeama 101 0 2002–2015
Joseph Yobo 101 7 2001–2014
4 Mikel John Obi 91 6 2005–2019
5 Nwankwo Kanu 86 13 1994–2011
Mudashiru Lawal 86 11 1975–1985
7 Jay-Jay Okocha 73 14 1993–2006
8 Stephen Keshi 68 9 1981–1998
9 Peter Rufai 66 1 1983–1998
10 Peter Odemwingie 65 11 2002–2014

Top goalscorers[]

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Rashidi Yekini 37 62 0.6 1983–1998
2 Segun Odegbami 22 47 0.47 1976–1981
3 Yakubu Aiyegbeni 21 58 0.36 2000–2012
4 Ikechukwu Uche 19 46 0.41 2007–2014
5 Obafemi Martins 18 42 0.43 2004–2015
6 Samson Siasia 17 49 0.35 1984–1998
7 Odion Ighalo 16 36 0.44 2015–present
Ahmed Musa 16 105 0.15 2010–present
9 Julius Aghahowa 14 32 0.44 2000–2007
Asuquo Ekpe 14 28 0.5 1956–1966
Jay-Jay Okocha 14 73 0.19 1993–2006
Thompson Usiyan 14 — — 1976–1981

Competitive record[]

FIFA World Cup record[]

Main article: Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Uruguay 1930 Part of  United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962 Did not qualify
England 1966 Withdrew[n 1][72]
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify
Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico1986
Italy 1990
United States 1994 Round of 16 9th 4 2 0 2 7 4 Squad
France 1998 12th 4 2 0 2 6 9 Squad
South Korea Japan 2002 Group stage 27th 3 0 1 2 1 3 Squad
Germany 2006 Did not qualify
South Africa 2010 Group stage 27th 3 0 1 2 3 5 Squad
Brazil 2014 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 3 5 Squad
Russia 2018 Group stage 21st 3 1 0 2 3 4 Squad
Qatar 2022 To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026
Total Round of 16 6/21 21 6 3 12 23 30 —
Notes
  1. ^ All African nations withdrew due to a lack of qualifying berths.

African Cup of Nations[]

Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962 Withdrew 4 1 2 1 4 5
Ghana 1963 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 3 10 Squad 2 0 1 1 2 3
Tunisia 1965 Withdrew Withdrew
Ethiopia 1968 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 5
Sudan 1970 Withdrew Withdrew
Cameroon 1972 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
Egypt 1974 4 2 1 1 7 9
Ethiopia 1976 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 11 10 Squad 2 2 0 0 3 1
Ghana 1978 Third place 3rd 5 2 2 1 8 5 Squad 4 2 1 1 7 4
Nigeria 1980 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 8 1 Squad Qualified as hosts
Libya 1982 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad Qualified as holders
Ivory Coast 1984 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 7 8 Squad 4 1 2 1 2 1
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
Morocco 1988 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 5 3 Squad 4 2 1 1 6 3
Algeria 1990 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 0 2 5 6 Squad 4 2 2 0 8 2
Senegal 1992 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 8 5 Squad 8 4 3 1 15 3
Tunisia 1994 Champions 1st 5 3 2 0 9 3 Squad 6 3 2 1 12 1
South Africa 1996 Withdrew Qualified as holders
Burkina Faso 1998 Banned Banned
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 2 0 12 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
Mali 2002 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 4 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 9 1
Tunisia 2004 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 11 5 Squad 4 2 2 0 7 3
Egypt 2006 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 7 3 Squad 10 6 3 1 21 7
Ghana 2008 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 3 3 Squad 6 5 0 1 10 3
Angola 2010 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 6 4 Squad 12 9 3 0 20 5
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 12 5
South Africa 2013 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 11 4 Squad 4 2 2 0 10 3
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 7
Gabon 2017 4 1 2 1 2 2
Egypt 2019 Third place 3rd 7 5 0 2 9 7 Squad 6 4 1 1 14 6
Cameroon 2021 Round of 16 9th 4 3 0 1 6 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 14 7
Ivory Coast 2023 To be determined To be determined
Guinea 2025
Total 3 Titles 19/33 97 53 22 22 137 91 — 120 62 39 19 199 89
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via a penalty shoot-out.
**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

African Nations Championship[]

African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 12 8
Rwanda 2016 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 5 3
Morocco 2018 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 7 6
Cameroon 2020 Did not qualify
Algeria 2022 To be determined
Total Runners-up 3/6 15 8 4 3 24 17

WAFU Nations Cup record[]

WAFU Nations Cup
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Nigeria 2010 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 14
Nigeria 2011 Runners-up 2nd 4 1 0 0 9
Ghana 2013 Did not enter
Ghana 2017 Runners-up 2nd 4 1 0 0 9
Senegal 2019 To be determined
Total 1 Title 3/4 13 7 0 0 32 9

FIFA Confederations Cup[]

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 1992 Did not qualify
Saudi Arabia 1995 Fourth place 4th 3 1 2 0 4 1 Squad
Saudi Arabia 1997 Did not qualify
Mexico 1999
South Korea Japan 2001
France 2003
Germany 2005
South Africa 2009
Brazil 2013 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 7 6 Squad
Russia 2017 Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 2/10 6 2 2 2 11 7 -

Honours[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Sierra Leone – List of International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  4. ^ "FABIAN DURU - Nigeria's First Football Captain". TryNaija. 24 August 2021.
  5. ^ "GOLD AWAITS NIGERIA OR ARGENTINA IN MEN&039;S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL". 19 August 2008.
  6. ^ Mather, Victor (22 August 2008). "FINAL Argentina 1 - Nigeria 0, Gold Medal Men's Soccer".
  7. ^ "BBC News | CUP OF NATIONS | Nigeria v Cameroon: Picture gallery". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Cameroon are Kings of Africa". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Nigeria". gamji.com. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Afcon 2017: Nigeria fail to qualify after defeat by Egypt". BBC Sport. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Kenya 2–3 Nigeria". ESPN. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  12. ^ "Argentina 1–0 Nigeria". BBC. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  13. ^ "Argentina vs. Nigeria: Argentina wins, now faces a strong South Korea". The Christian Science Monitor. 12 June 2010. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Nigeria president suspends team". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  15. ^ Adigun, Bashir; Gambrell, Jon (30 June 2010). "Nigeria's president suspends soccer team". USA Today. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  16. ^ "Nigerian government rescinds ban". ESPN Soccernet. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  17. ^ a b "Fifa issues world ban to Nigeria". BBC News. 4 October 2010.
  18. ^ "Fifa lifts Nigeria's suspension". BBC Sport. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  19. ^ Roche, C.; Dunne, Robbie (8 October 2017). "Nigeria vs Zambia World Cup: Nigeria book their place in the World Cup". Diario AS. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  20. ^ "FULL-TIME: Nigeria vs Algeria 3 -1". Vanguard News. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  21. ^ Eludini, Tunde (4 September 2017). "Cameroon Vs. Nigeria Live Updates: Super Eagles, Lions Fight In Yaoundé". Premium Times. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  22. ^ "How Nigeria vs Algeria sparked MMM trend". Vanguard News. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  23. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – Matches – Nigeria-Algeria". FIFA. 12 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  24. ^ Babarinsa, Olusola (12 November 2016). "Moses, Mikel lead Nigeria past Algeria". The Punch. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  25. ^ Udoh, Colin (3 June 2018). "Super Eagles drop Aina, Agu from World Cup squad". ESPN. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  26. ^ Abayomi, Tosin (16 June 2018). "Jerseys don't win matches, Twitter trolls Super Eagles after Croatia defeat". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  27. ^ Udoh, Colin (22 June 2018). "3 Takeaways from Nigeria's win over Iceland". ESPN. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  28. ^ Pylas, Pan (22 June 2018). "World Cup 2018: Ahmed Musa scores twice to give Nigeria 2–0 win over Iceland". Stuff (company). Staff Limited. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Nigeria lost to experienced Argentine side – Rohr". Vanguard News. Vanguard Media Limited. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  30. ^ Potts, Michael (26 June 2018). "Victor Moses: Chelsea fans compare Nigeria star to Eden Hazard after penalty vs Argentina". Daily Express. Express Newspapers. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  31. ^ "World Cup 2018: Nigeria eliminated by late Argentina strike". Africa News. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Coronavirus, CAF Postpones AFCON Qualifiers". goal.com. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations postponed from January next year to 2022". France 24. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  34. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Cameroon 2021 qualifiers resume November, Qatar 2022 set for May 2021". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  35. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Qualified teams to Total Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations - AFCON daily: Nigeria secure perfect group stage record, Egypt qualify for last 16". France 24. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  37. ^ "German Gernot Rohr sacked as Nigeria coach". GhanaWeb. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Nigeria, Ghana and the genesis of a rivalry". 22 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  39. ^ "NIKE PARTNERS WITH THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION". Nike. 23 April 2015. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Nigeria Ends Kit Renewal Deal with Adidas". This Day. 13 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  41. ^ a b c "Full Nigeria Kit History 1949-2020".
  42. ^ "NIGERIA ENDS TIES WITH ADIDAS, AGREES KIT SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH NIKE".
  43. ^ Dede, Steve (23 April 2015). "NFF sign deal with Nike". Pulse Nigeria.
  44. ^ "NFF's new Nike deal worth $3.75m (743m Naira) | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  45. ^ Olorunmoteni, Tolu (20 November 2018). "Nike Extend Nigeria Kit Sponsorship to 2022 in an Undisclosed Deal".
  46. ^ "Super Eagles". naij.com. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  47. ^ "I don't Relax with 'Odeku' Or 'Nkwobi'-Nwosu". independent.ng. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  48. ^ "How Green Eagles changed to Super Eagles – Aloy Agu". vanguardngr.com. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  49. ^ "Nigeria: N250m Broadcast Right, Historic – Odili". All Africa. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  50. ^ "OVERVIEW OF PROPERTIES". beIN Sports. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  51. ^ "Supporters club set to storm Rio". Vanguard (Nigeria). 9 August 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  52. ^ "Nigeria Football Supporters Club: Supporters club contributed to Nigeria's bronze medal victory in Rio – Ladipo". thenewsnigeria.com. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  53. ^ "Crisis rocks Nigeria Football Supporters Club". Vanguard (Nigeria). 18 July 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  54. ^ "Nigerian Football Supporters Club asks Rafiu Ladipo to go". thenewsnigeria.com. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  55. ^ "Band helps boost enthusiasm for Nigeria's soccer team at Women's World Cup". winnipeg.ctvnews.ca. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  56. ^ "Nigeria vs Ghana: Head to Head". 29 January 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  57. ^ "Nigeria always loses to Argentina and I'm sick of it". SB Nation. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  58. ^ "Photos of the 24-year soccer rivalry between Nigeria and Argentina". Quartz. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  59. ^ Klein, Jeff (25 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Argentina Defeats Nigeria, 3–2". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  60. ^ "Nigeria 1–2 Argentina". BBC Sport. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  61. ^ "2010 FIFA World Cup: Is Argentina vs. Nigeria an Emerging World Rivalry?". Bleacher Report. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  62. ^ "Nigeria-Argentina: A rivalry that keeps on running". FIFA. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  63. ^ "Nigeria-Argentina: The Eternal Rivalry". The Red Card District. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  64. ^ "Argentina prepare to renew burgeoning World Cup rivalry with Nigeria". Metro UK. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  65. ^ "2 feared dead, 20 injured in stampede at Akwa Ibom new stadium". premiumtimesng.com. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  66. ^ "Akwa Ibom Stadium will host world class matches – Pinnick". The Nation. Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  67. ^ "PHOTONEWS: Abuja National Stadium From Green Grass To Forest And Now Desert". saharareporters.com. March 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  68. ^ "Eguavoen now Eagles technical adviser, as Amuneke becomes 'first assistant'". guardian.ng. 7 February 2022.
  69. ^ "Yobo eager to start as Super Eagles assistant coach | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  70. ^ "Squads for tournament in Cameroon". BBC Sport.
  71. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Nigeria - Record International Players". RSSSF.
  72. ^ "VIII WORLD CUP (ENGLAND 1966) QUALIFYING STAGE". Lingua Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  73. ^ West African Soccer Federation Championship (1959–67) Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  74. ^ WAFU Unity Cup (2005) Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  75. ^ Ethiopia International Tournament (1992) Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  76. ^ King Hassan II Tournament (1996–2008) Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2013.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""