Nigeria national football team

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Nigeria
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Super Eagles
Association Nigeria Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Flag of Nigeria Shaibu Amodu
Captain Nwankwo Kanu
Most caps Mudashiru Lawal (86)
Top scorer Rashidi Yekini (37)
Home stadium Abuja Stadium
FIFA code NGA
FIFA ranking 34
Highest FIFA ranking 5 (April 1994)
Lowest FIFA ranking 82 (November 1999)
Elo ranking 38
Highest Elo ranking 14 (May 31 2004)
Lowest Elo ranking 87 (December 27 1964)
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
First kit
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Second kit
First international
Flag of Nigeria Nigeria 2 - 0 Sierra Leone Flag of Sierra Leone
(Lagos, Nigeria; 8 October 1949)
Biggest win
Flag of Nigeria Nigeria 10 - 1 Benin Flag of Benin
(Lagos, Nigeria; 28 November 1959)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Ghana Ghana 7 - 0 Nigeria Flag of Nigeria
(Accra, Ghana; 1 June 1955)
World Cup
Appearances 3 (First in 1994)
Best result Round 2, 1994 and 1998
African Nations Cup
Appearances 15 (First in 1963)
Best result Winners, 1980 and 1994
Confederations Cup
Appearances 1 (First in 1995)
Best result 4th, 1995
Olympic medal record
Men’s Football
Gold 1996 Atlanta Team

The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Association. According to FIFA's rankings, Nigeria, at 45th, are currently the 6th best team in the African continent. The highest position ever reached on the ranking was 5th in April 1994.


Contents

[edit] History

Nigeria played their first game in October 1949, whilst still a British colony. 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 Cheidozie and the Tunji Banjo, and the 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.

Nigeria reached the World Cup for the first time in Football World Cup 1994.They were managed by Clemens Westerhof who is commonly considered to be the best coach to have ever lead Nigeria. Nigeria topped their group which included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece. In their first game Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3-0, lost to Argentina 2-1, and qualified for the second round after a 2-0 defeat of Greece. In the second round Nigeria played Italy and took the lead with a goal from Amunike at 25 min. Nigeria were within 1 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.

In 1998 Nigeria returned to the World Cup alongside Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa. Optimism was high due to their manager Bora Milutinovc 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. Their hopes of surpassing their 1994 performance was shattered after a 4-1 loss to Denmark.

Th 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea Japan, saw Nigeria again qualify with optimism. With a new squad and distinctive pastel green kits the Super Eagles were expected to build on their strong performances in the 2000 and 2002 African Cup of Nations. Nigeria were drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England. They started their first game against Argentina with a strong defence and kept the first half scoreless. However 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. There was little consolation when Nigeria drew 0-0 with England and bowed out in the first round.

Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2006 World Cup to Angola. Both teams finished level on points in the group but Nigeria even with a greater goal difference missed out due to their inferior head to head record against Angola. Nigeria won the African Nations Cup twice (1980 and 1994), and also won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Under-21s and under-17s

Nigeria's Under 17 youth teams won the inaugural Under-16 World Championship in 1985 and the Under-17 (the age limit was raised) title in 1993 and in 2007. The under 17 team is known as the Golden Eaglets while the Under 21 team is known as the Flying Eagles.

Nigeria's Flying Eagles qualified for the first time to represent Africa in a Junior World Cup in Mexico. Although, Nigeria did not go beyond the first round, having lost 0-3 to Brazil, it beat the highly rated USSR 1-0 and held the Netherlands to a goalless draw.

In 1985, Nigeria's under-17 football team went to China and conquered the world in the first ever FIFA U-17 World Championship. The victory took Nigerian football to a high pedestal, setting the stage for a respect of Nigeria in international competitions. To prove a point of Nigeria's new found strength in football, the nation's under-20 team went to Saudi Arabia for the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1989 and lost narrowly in the final to Portugal.

The "miracle of Damman" (Saturday, February 25, 1989), Nigeria's victory over USSR at the quarter final stage; after trailing four goals behind and with only twenty nine minutes left, stunned the world during the championship. Chris Ohenhen scored two freekick goals; the first was an indirect kick with 29 minutes left (assist Dimeji Lawal) and the second was a direct freekick with 15 minutes to go. Samuel Elijah scored Nigeria's third goal with 8 minutes remaining. Nduka Ugbade scored the game tying goal two minutes later. Nigeria won the penalty shootout to complete the miracle comeback with scores from Chris Ohenhen, Mutiu Adepoju, Dimeji Lawal, Peter Ogaba, and Samuel Elijah. Emeka Amadi saved one of the kicks from the Soviets.

In 2007, the under-17 squad carted were crowned world champions in South Korea for the 3rd time.

[edit] Nigeria Football Achievements

1980, 1994
1973
1995
1990

Olympic Gold Medal Atlanta '96

1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005
2001, 2007
1985, 1993, 2007

[edit] World Cup record

[edit] African Cup of Nations record

 
  • 1984 - Second place
  • 1986 - Did not qualify
  • 1988 - Second place
  • 1990 - Second place
  • 1992 - Third place
  • 1994 - Champions
  • 1996 - Withdrew from tournament
  • 1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996
  • 2000 - Second place
  • 2002 - Third place
  • 2004 - Third place
  • 2006 - Third place
  • 2008 - Quarterfinals

[edit] Current squad

The folloeing players were called for the friendly match against Austria on May 27, 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
GK Vincent Enyeama 29 August 1982 (1982-08-29) (age 25) 35 0 Flag of Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv
GK Dele Aiyenugba 20 November 1983 (1983-11-20) (age 24) 8 0 Flag of Israel Bnei Yehuda
GK Greg Etafia 30 September 1982 (1982-09-30) (age 25) Flag of South Africa Moroka Swallows
DF Onyekachi Apam 30 December 1985 (1985-12-30) (age 22) 2 0 Flag of France Nice
DF Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé January 20, 1988 (1988-01-20) (age 20) 0 0 Flag of France Stade Rennais
DF Yusuf Mohamed November 5, 1983 (1983-11-05) (age 24) Flag of Sudan Al-Hilal
DF Joseph Yobo 6 September 1980 (1980-09-06) (age 27) 50 2 Flag of England Everton
DF Taye Taiwo 16 April 1985 (1985-04-16) (age 23) 26 7 Flag of France Marseille
DF Obinna Nwaneri 19 March 1982 (1982-03-19) (age 26) 18 1 Flag of Switzerland FC Sion
MF Kalu Uche 15 November 1982 (1982-11-15) (age 25) Flag of Spain UD Almería
MF Lukman Haruna 4 December 1990 (1990-12-04) (age 17) 2 0 Flag of France AS Monaco
MF Christian Obodo 11 May 1984 (1984-05-11) (age 24) Flag of Italy Udinese
MF John Obi Mikel 22 April 1987 (1987-04-22) (age 21) 16 1 Flag of England Chelsea
FW Ikechukwu Uche 5 January 1984 (1984-01-05) (age 24) 5 1 Flag of Spain Getafe
FW John Utaka 8 January 1982 (1982-01-08) (age 26) 30 5 Flag of England Portsmouth
FW Kayode Odejayi 21 February 1982 (1982-02-21) (age 26) 1 0 Flag of England Barnsley
FW Peter Odemwingie 15 July 1981 (1981-07-15) (age 26) 20 5 Flag of Russia Lokomotiv Moscow
FW Nwankwo Kanu 1 August 1976 (1976-08-01) (age 31) 68 13 Flag of England Portsmouth
FW Yakubu Aiyegbeni 22 November 1982 (1982-11-22) (age 25) 36 16 Flag of England Everton
FW Victor Anichebe 23 April 1988 (1988-04-23) (age 20) 0 0 Flag of England Everton
FW Victor Nsofor Obinna 25 March 1987 (1987-03-25) (age 21) 7 1 Flag of Italy Chievo Verona
FW Emmanuel Okoduwa 21 November 1983 (1983-11-21) (age 24) Flag of Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv


[edit] Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Nigeria squad in 2008.

Goalkeepers
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Austin Ejide April 8, 1984 Flag of France SC Bastia 12 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Defenders
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Danny Shittu September 2, 1980 Flag of England Watford 12 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Ifeanyi Emeghara March 24, 1984 Flag of Romania Steaua Bucharest 2 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Rabiu Afolabi April 18, 1980 Flag of France Sochaux 10 (1) v. Benin, 29 January 2008
Midfielders
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Dickson Etuhu June 8, 1982 Flag of England Sunderland 2 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Seyi Olofinjana June 12, 1980 Flag of England Wolverhampton 17 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Richard Eromoigbe June 26, 1984 Flag of Russia FC Khimki 4 (0) v. Ghana, 3 February 2008
Onyekachi Okonkwo May 13, 1982 Flag of Switzerland FC Zürich 8 (0) v. Ivory Coast, 21 January 2008
Strikers
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Stephen Makinwa July 26, 1983 Flag of Italy Lazio 6 (0) v. Mali, 25 January 2008
Obafemi Martins October 28, 1984 Flag of England Newcastle United 21 (13) v. Mali, 25 January 2008
No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
DF Kingsley Udoh 7 December 1990 (1990-12-07) (age 17) 0 0 Flag of Nigeria Akwa United
DF Efe Ambrose 8 October 1988 (1988-10-08) (age 19) 0 0 Flag of Nigeria Kaduna United
MF Oladapo Olufemi 11 May 1988 (1988-05-11) (age 20) 0 0 Flag of Portugal Boavista


[edit] Famous players

1970s -


1980s -


1990s -

 


2000s -

[edit] Manager history

Team managers of Nigeria and the dates they took over.

Date appointed Manager name
2008 Flag of Nigeria Shaibu Amodu
2008 Flag of Nigeria James Peters
2007 - 2008 Flag of Germany Berti Vogts
2005 - 2007 Flag of Nigeria Augustine Eguavoen
2002 - 2005 Flag of Nigeria Christian Chukwu
2002 Flag of Nigeria Adegboyega Onigbinde
2001 - 2002 Flag of Nigeria Shaibu Amodu
1999 - 2001 Flag of the Netherlands Johannes Bonfrere
1999 - 1999 Flag of the Netherlands Thijs Libregts
1998 - 1998 Flag of Serbia Flag of Mexico Bora Milutinović
1997 - 1998 Flag of Nigeria Monday Sinclar
1997 - 1998 Flag of France Philippe Troussier
1996 - 1997 Flag of Nigeria Shaibu Amodu
1995 - 1996 Flag of the Netherlands Johannes Bonfere
1994 - 1995 Flag of Nigeria Shaibu Amodu
1989 - 1994 Flag of the Netherlands Clemens Westerhof
1987 - 1989 Flag of Nigeria Paul Hamilton
1988 - 1989 Flag of Germany Manfred Hoener
1985 Flag of Nigeria Patrick Ekeji
1984 - 1986 Flag of Nigeria Chris Udemezue
1983 - 1984 Flag of Nigeria Adegboyega Onigbinde
1981 Flag of Germany Gottlieb Goller
1979 - 1982 Flag of Brazil Otto Gloria
1970 - 1971 & 1974 Flag of Germany Heinz Marotze
1974 - 1978 Flag of Yugoslavia Jelisavčić 'Tiki' Tihomir
1972 - 1973 & 1963 - 1964 Flag of Brazil George Penna
1969 - 1970 Flag of Nigeria Peter 'Eto' Amaechina
1965 - 1968 Flag of Hungary Joseph Ember
1964 - 1965 Flag of Nigeria Daniel Anyiam
1961 - 1963 Flag of Hungary George Vardar
1960 - 1961 Flag of Israel Moshe Beth-Halevi
1956 - 1960 Flag of England Les Courtier
1954 - 1956 Flag of Nigeria Daniel Anyiam
1949 Flag of England John Finch

[edit] Top 10 Goalscorers

List of Nigeria's top ten highest ever international goalscorers.

Goal scored Player name
37 Flag of Nigeria Rashidi Yekini
24 Flag of Nigeria Segun Odegbami
17 Flag of Nigeria Sunday Oyarekhua
16 Flag of Nigeria Yakubu
16 Flag of Nigeria Samson Siasia
15 Flag of Nigeria Thompson Usiyan
14 Flag of Nigeria Jay-Jay Okocha
14 Flag of Nigeria Julius Aghahowa
13 Flag of Nigeria Nwankwo Kanu
13 Flag of Nigeria Obafemi Martins

[edit] Recent results


[edit] Friendly Matches:

[edit] External links