Silver |
2008 Beijing |
Team|}
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994. They won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations on two occasions, and have reached the World Cup finals four times.
History
After playing other colonies in unofficial games since the 1930s[2], Nigeria played its first official game in October 1949, while still a British colony. The team played warmup games in England against various amateur teams like 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 1976 and 1978's African Cup of Nations to follow. In 1980 the team had such players as Leyton Orient's John Chiedozie and Tunji Banjo, and the Muda Lawal / Christian Chukwu-led Super Eagles won the Cup for the first time in Lagos. 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 1990 World Cup and then the controversial final of the 2000 African Nations Cup where a goal scored by Victor Ikpeba during a penalty shoot out was disallowed by the referee.
1994 World Cup
Nigeria finally reached the World Cup for the first time in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. They were managed by Clemens Westerhof. Nigeria topped its group which included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece. In its first game Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3–0, lost to Argentina 1–2, and qualified for 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 Amunike at 25 min. Nigeria were within one minute of qualifying for the Quarter finals of 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.
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 win against Bulgaria and loss to Paraguay. The team's hopes of surpassing its 1994 performance was shattered after a 4–1 loss to Denmark.
2002 World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup in 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 defense 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.
2006 World Cup
Nigeria missed out on qualification 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.[3]
Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute.[4] 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 equalizer early in the second half and Nigeria conceded the second goal and lost the game 2–1. They then drew 2–2 with South Korea and failed to qualify for the next round. On 30 June 2010, following its early exit and poor showing, the President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national football team from international competition for two years.[5] This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.[6] On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions.[7]
African Nations Cup
Nigeria won the African Nations Cup twice (1980 and 1994). More recently they took third place at the 2002 African Nations Cup, the 2004 African Nations Cup, the 2006 African Nations Cup, and the 2010 African Nations Cup.
Achievements
-
- 1980, 1994
-
- 1973
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1
-
- 1995
-
- 1990
-
- Atlanta 1996[1]
-
- Beijing 2008[1]
- World team of the year: 1
-
- 1996
World Cup record
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1930 to 1958 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1962 to 1990 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1994 |
Round of 16 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
1998 |
Round of 16 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
9 |
 2002 |
Round 1 |
27 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
2006 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2010 |
Round 1 |
27 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
Total |
4/19 |
|
14 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
17 |
21 |
Confederations Cup record
Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1992 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1995 |
Fourth place |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1997 to 2009 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
1/8 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
African Cup of Nations record
African Cup of Nations |
Titles: 2
Appearances: 16 |
Year |
Position |
|
Year |
Position |
|
Year |
Position |
1957 |
Did not enter |
1976 |
Third place |
1994 |
Champions |
1959 |
Did not enter |
1978 |
Third place |
1996 |
Withdrew from tournament |
1962 |
Withdrew from tournament |
1980 |
Champions |
1998 |
Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996 |
1963 |
Round 1 |
1982 |
Round 1 |
 2000 |
Second place |
1965 |
Did not qualify |
1984 |
Second place |
2002 |
Third place |
1968 |
Did not qualify |
1986 |
Did not qualify |
2004 |
Third place |
1970 |
Did not qualify |
1988 |
Second place |
2006 |
Third place |
1972 |
Did not qualify |
1990 |
Second place |
2008 |
Quarter-finals |
1974 |
Did not qualify |
1992 |
Third place |
2010 |
Third place |
2010 FIFA World Cup/African Cup of Nations
Qualification
2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations: 2nd Round
Group 4
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
Nigeria |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
1 |
+10 |
18 |
South Africa |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
Sierra Leone |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
−4 |
7 |
Equatorial Guinea |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
10 |
−6 |
3 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Equatorial Guinea  |
— |
0 – 1 |
2 – 0 |
0 – 1 |
Nigeria  |
2 – 0 |
— |
4 – 1 |
2 – 0 |
Sierra Leone  |
2 – 1 |
0 – 1 |
— |
1 – 0 |
South Africa  |
4 – 1 |
0 – 1 |
0 – 0 |
— |
|
Notes on the tie-breaking situation:
- South Africa and Sierra Leone are ranked by their overall goal difference.
Note: South Africa were automatically qualified as hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, they were subject to the same rules as other nations for continuation to the next stage of the qualifiers. Failure to advance from this group eliminated them from the qualifiers for the 2010 African Cup of Nations.
2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations: 3rd Round
Group B
|
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
Nigeria |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
4 |
+5 |
12 |
Tunisia |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
+3 |
11 |
Mozambique |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
−2 |
7 |
Kenya |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
11 |
−6 |
3 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kenya  |
— |
2 – 1 |
2 – 3 |
1 – 2 |
Mozambique  |
1 – 0 |
— |
0 – 0 |
1 – 0 |
Nigeria  |
3 – 0 |
1 – 0 |
— |
2 – 2 |
Tunisia  |
1 – 0 |
2 – 0 |
0 – 0 |
— |
|
Legend |
Countries that qualified for the 2010 World Cup and 2010 African Cup of Nations |
Countries that qualified for the 2010 African Cup of Nations |
2010 African Cup of Nations
Group C
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
Egypt |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
+6 |
9 |
Nigeria |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
+2 |
6 |
Benin |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
−3 |
1 |
Mozambique |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
−5 |
1 |
Recent results
FIFA World Cup 2010
Current squad
The following players were called up for the September 3rd Cup of Nations Qualifier against Madagascar. [8] Caps and goals correct as of August 11, 2010.
0#0 |
Pos. |
Player |
Date of Birth (Age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
1 |
GK |
Vincent Enyeama |
29 August 1982 (1982-08-29) (age 28) |
58 |
0 |
Hapoel Tel Aviv |
23 |
GK |
Dele Aiyenugba |
20 November 1983 (1983-11-20) (age 27) |
10 |
0 |
Bnei Yehuda |
|
GK |
Bassey Akpan |
6 January 1984 (1984-01-06) (age 27) |
1 |
0 |
Bayelsa United |
|
6 |
DF |
Danny Shittu |
2 September 1980 (1980-09-02) (age 30) |
29 |
0 |
Bolton Wanderers |
2 |
DF |
Joseph Yobo |
6 September 1980 (1980-09-06) (age 30) |
70 |
4 |
Everton |
|
DF |
Sam Sodje |
25 May 1979 (1979-05-25) (age 31) |
5 |
0 |
Portsmouth |
17 |
DF |
Chidi Odiah |
17 December 1983 (1983-12-17) (age 27) |
27 |
1 |
CSKA Moscow |
|
DF |
Terna Suswam |
5 September 1991 (1991-09-05) (age 19) |
2 |
0 |
Lobi Stars |
|
DF |
Emmanuel Anyanwu |
|
1 |
0 |
Enyimba |
|
DF |
Promise Onuh |
|
0 |
0 |
Tornadoes |
|
DF |
Valentine Nwabili |
|
1 |
0 |
Enyimba |
|
DF |
Ugwu Uwadiegu |
|
0 |
0 |
Enugu Rangers |
|
20 |
MF |
Dickson Etuhu |
8 June 1982 (1982-06-08) (age 28) |
17 |
0 |
Fulham |
|
MF |
Femi Ajilore |
18 January 1985 (1985-01-18) (age 26) |
4 |
0 |
Groningen |
10 |
MF |
John Obi Mikel |
22 April 1987 (1987-04-22) (age 23) |
34 |
2 |
Chelsea |
|
MF |
Eneji Otekpa |
|
1 |
0 |
Enyimba |
|
MF |
Fengor Ogude |
|
0 |
0 |
Warri Wolves |
|
9 |
FW |
Obafemi Martins |
28 October 1984 (1984-10-28) (age 26) |
34 |
17 |
Rubin Kazan |
11 |
FW |
Peter Odemwingie |
15 July 1981 (1981-07-15) (age 29) |
48 |
9 |
West Bromwich Albion |
12 |
FW |
Kalu Uche |
15 November 1982 (1982-11-15) (age 28) |
25 |
4 |
Almería |
|
FW |
Michael Eneramo |
26 November 1985 (1985-11-26) (age 25) |
8 |
2 |
Espérance |
|
FW |
Joseph Akpala |
24 August 1986 (1986-08-24) (age 24) |
3 |
1 |
Club Brugge |
|
FW |
Solomon Okoronkwo |
2 March 1987 (1987-03-02) (age 23) |
1 |
0 |
Saturn Moscow |
|
FW |
Ahmed Musa |
14 October 1992 (1992-10-14) (age 18) |
0 |
0 |
VVV-Venlo |
|
FW |
Ayo Saka |
|
1 |
0 |
Heartland F.C. |
|
FW |
Moses Bunde |
|
0 |
0 |
Lobi Stars |
|
Recent call-ups (Past twelve months)
0#0 |
Pos. |
Player |
Date of Birth (Age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
|
DF |
Olubayo Adefemi (WC Qualifier v. Tunisia, September 6) |
13 August 1985 (1985-08-13) (age 25) |
4 |
0 |
Boulogne |
|
GK |
Greg Etafia (WC Qualifier v. Mozambique, October 11) |
30 September 1982 (1982-09-30) (age 28) |
3 |
0 |
Moroka Swallows |
|
DF |
Onyekachi Apam (Africa Nations Cup 2010) |
30 December 1986 (1986-12-30) (age 24) |
13 |
0 |
Nice |
|
DF |
Obinna Nwaneri (Africa Nations Cup 2010) |
18 March 1982 (1982-03-18) (age 28) |
34 |
1 |
Sion |
|
MF |
Seyi Olofinjana (Africa Nations Cup 2010) |
30 June 1980 (1980-06-30) (age 30) |
41 |
0 |
Cardiff City |
|
MF |
Yusuf Mohamed (Africa Nations Cup 2010) |
5 November 1983 (1983-11-05) (age 27) |
12 |
0 |
Al-Hilal |
|
FW |
Ikechukwu Uche (Africa Nations Cup 2010) |
5 January 1984 (1984-01-05) (age 27) |
24 |
6 |
Real Zaragoza |
|
DF |
Chibuzor Okonkwo (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
16 December 1988 (1988-12-16) (age 22) |
1 |
0 |
Bayelsa United |
|
FW |
Bello Musa Kofarmata (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
12 May 1988 (1988-05-12) (age 22) |
1 |
0 |
Heartland |
|
GK |
Segun Oluwaniyi (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
24 April 1982 (1982-04-24) (age 28) |
1 |
0 |
Shooting Stars |
|
MF |
Isiaka Olawale (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
11 November 1983 (1983-11-11) (age 27) |
8 |
0 |
Kwara United |
|
FW |
Osas Idehen (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
13 May 1990 (1990-05-13) (age 20) |
1 |
2 |
Enyimba International |
|
FW |
Thankgod Amaefule (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
16 December 1984 (1984-12-16) (age 26) |
1 |
0 |
Sharks |
|
DF |
Thankgod Ikechukwu (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
13 September 1985 (1985-09-13) (age 25) |
1 |
0 |
Heartland |
|
MF |
Chinedu Ezimora (Friendly v. Congo DR, March 3) |
6 March 1983 (1983-03-06) (age 27) |
1 |
0 |
Nasarawa |
|
FW |
Peter Utaka (Friendly v. Saudi Arabia, 25 May 2010) |
12 February 1984 (1984-02-12) (age 27) |
2 |
1 |
OB |
|
FW |
Victor Anichebe (Friendly v. Saudi Arabia, 25 May 2010) |
23 April 1988 (1988-04-23) (age 22) |
5 |
0 |
Everton |
16 |
GK |
Austin Ejide (2010 World Cup) |
8 April 1984 (1984-04-08) (age 26) |
17 |
0 |
Hapoel Petah Tikva |
3 |
DF |
Taye Taiwo (2010 World Cup) |
16 April 1985 (1985-04-16) (age 25) |
39 |
3 |
Olympique de Marseille |
21 |
DF |
Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé (2010 World Cup) |
20 January 1988 (1988-01-20) (age 23) |
13 |
0 |
Braga |
5 |
DF |
Rabiu Afolabi (2010 World Cup) |
18 April 1980 (1980-04-18) (age 30) |
16 |
0 |
Red Bull Salzburg |
13 |
MF |
Ayila Yussuf (2010 World Cup) |
4 November 1984 (1984-11-04) (age 26) |
28 |
2 |
Dynamo Kyiv |
22 |
DF |
Dele Adeleye (2010 World Cup) |
25 December 1988 (1988-12-25) (age 22) |
6 |
0 |
Metalurh Donetsk |
14 |
MF |
Sani Kaita (2010 World Cup) |
2 May 1986 (1986-05-02) (age 24) |
21 |
0 |
Alania Vladikavkaz |
15 |
MF |
Lukman Haruna (2010 World Cup) |
4 December 1990 (1990-12-04) (age 20) |
7 |
1 |
Monaco |
19 |
FW |
Chinedu Obasi (2010 World Cup) |
1 June 1986 (1986-06-01) (age 24) |
26 |
4 |
Hoffenheim |
18 |
FW |
Victor Obinna (2010 World Cup) |
25 March 1987 (1987-03-25) (age 23) |
34 |
11 |
West Ham |
4 |
FW |
Nwankwo Kanu (2010 World Cup) |
1 August 1976 (1976-08-01) (age 34) |
86 |
13 |
Portsmouth |
7 |
FW |
John Utaka (2010 World Cup) |
8 January 1982 (1982-01-08) (age 29) |
43 |
6 |
Portsmouth |
8 |
FW |
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (2010 World Cup) |
22 November 1982 (1982-11-22) (age 28) |
55 |
21 |
Everton |
10 |
FW |
Ideye Brown (Friendly v. South Korea, 11 August 2010) |
10 October 1988 (1988-10-10) (age 22) |
1 |
0 |
Sochaux |
|
Managers
Team managers of Nigeria and the dates they took over.
Date appointed |
Manager name |
2010- |
Augustine Eguavoen |
2010 |
Lars Lagerbäck |
2008–2010 |
Shaibu Amodu |
2008 |
James Peters |
2007–2008 |
Berti Vogts |
2005–2007 |
Augustine Eguavoen |
2002–2005 |
Christian Chukwu |
2002 |
Adegboyega Onigbinde |
2001–2002 |
Shaibu Amodu |
1999–2001 |
Johannes Bonfrere |
1999–1999 |
Thijs Libregts |
1998–1998 |
Bora Milutinović |
1997–1998 |
Monday Sinclar |
1997–1998 |
Philippe Troussier |
1996–1997 |
Shaibu Amodu |
1995–1996 |
Johannes Bonfere |
1994–1995 |
Shaibu Amodu |
1989–1994 |
Clemens Westerhof |
1987–1989 |
Paul Hamilton |
1988–1989 |
Manfred Hoener |
1985–1985 |
Patrick Ekeji |
1984–1986 |
Chris Udemezue |
1983–1984 |
Adegboyega Onigbinde |
1981–1981 |
Gottlieb Goller |
1979–1982 |
Otto Gloria |
1970–1971 & 1974 |
Heinz Marotze |
1974–1978 |
Jelisavčić 'Tiki' Tihomir |
1972–1973
1963–1964 |
George Penna |
1969–1970 |
Peter 'Eto' Amaechina |
1965–1968 |
Joseph Ember |
1964–1965 |
Daniel Anyiam |
1961–1963 |
George Vardar |
1960–1961 |
Moshe Beth-Halevi |
1956–1960 |
Les Courtier |
1954–1956 |
Daniel Anyiam |
1949–1949 |
John Finch |
Top goalscorers
List of Nigeria's top ten highest ever international goalscorers. Players in bold still eligible for selection.
References
External links
Football in Nigeria |
|
Football Association |
Nigeria Football Federation
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Domestic competitions |
Premier League · National League A & B · Nigeria Amateur League 1, 2 · FA Cup
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Youth competitions |
Youth Championship · U-17 Championship
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Club competitions |
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Prizes |
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National Managers |
List of African national football team managers
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Rankings |
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Sub-regions |
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Club Competitions |
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National Teams |
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Prizes |
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Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Congo · Congo DR · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Equatorial Guinea · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Gabon · Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Libya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Morocco · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Nigeria · Réunion† · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Togo · Tunisia · Uganda · Zambia · Zanzibar† · Zimbabwe
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†Not a member of FIFA |
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2010 FIFA World Cup finalists |
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Champions |
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Runners-up |
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Third place |
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Fourth place |
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Eliminated in the quarterfinals |
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Eliminated in the round of 16 |
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Eliminated in group stage |
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