This article is about the men ‘s team. For the women ‘s team, see Nigeria women ‘s national football 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 late title in 2013. In April 1994, the nigerian national football team was ranked fifth in the FIFA rankings, the highest FIFA ranking position always 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 version and reaching the round of 16 on three occasions. Their inaugural World Cup appearance was the 1994 edition. The team represents FIFA and Confederation of African Football ( CAF ).
history [edit ]
The Nigeria “ UK Tourists ” national team anterior to their tour of the UK in 1949. The team were known among the west african nations at the meter as the “ Red Devils ” due to their crimson 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 assorted amateur teams including Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet, Bishop Auckland, and South Liverpool. Nigeria ‘s equal against Marine A.F.C. at Rossett Park drew 6,000 spectators, a record for the belittled ground .
Nigeria inaugural 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 achiever was a aureate decoration 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 inaugural fourth dimension 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 procedure. They were runner-up in the same event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, losing to Argentina in a replay of the 1996 Final of the event. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] In 1984, 1988 and 2000, [ 8 ] Nigeria reached the Cup of Nations final examination, 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 acute competition between both nations. Three celebrated occasions ; narrowly losing out in the 1988 African Cup of Nations, qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup, and then the controversial final examination of the 2000 African Cup of Nations where a bang taken by Victor Ikpeba during the penalty shoot-out was adjudged not to have crossed the goal-line by the referee. [ 9 ] The team withdrew from two african Cup of Nations between 1963 and 1974, due to political imbalance. In 1976, they came back to the Cup of Nations with third-place finishes in both the 1976 and 1978 Africa cup of Nations
Nigeria hosted the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and besides won their inaugural Cup of Nations Title that class in Lagos. Nigeria came out as runner-up three times and had one group stage elimination, between 1982 and 1990. They besides failed to qualify for the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt .
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 benighted fleeceable
Clemens Westerhof managed the team from 1989 through the 1994 World Cup. Nigeria finally reached the World Cup for the inaugural prison term 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 moment circle 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 plot to extra meter. He besides scored the eventual winning goal. The game ended 2–1 in favor of the Italians. In 1996 the team withdrew from the tournament under pressure from the nation ‘s military dictator Sani Abacha ascribable to the criticism received from the tournament hosts South Africa and particularly 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 aboard Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa. Optimism was high due to its coach Bora Milutinović and the render of most 1994 team members. In the final examination tournament Nigeria were drawn into group D with Spain, Bulgaria, Paraguay. Nigeria scored a major upset by defeating Spain 3–2 after coming back doubly from being 1–0 and 2–1 gloomy. The Eagles qualified for the second round with a winnings 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 presently 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 invest at the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations .
2002 and 2006 World Cups [edit ]
The 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan saw Nigeria again qualify with optimism. With a new police squad and distinctive pastel fleeceable kits, the Super Eagles were expected to build on its solid performances in the 2000 and 2002 african Cup of Nations. Nigeria were drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England. The first bet on against Argentina started with a strong defense that kept the foremost half scoreless. In the 61st moment, Gabriel Batistuta breached the nigerian defense to put Argentina in the go 1–0, and Argentina would go on to win the crippled. Nigeria ‘s second bet on against Sweden saw them take the lead but late lose 2–1. Nigeria then drew 0–0 with England and bowed out in the first attack. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup after finishing level on points in the reservation group with Angola, but having an inferior criminal record in the matches between the sides. [ 10 ]
Egypt versus Nigeria batting order at 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Uzomedia In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria ended their political campaign in the draw 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 describe 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 function, they defeated Burkina Faso in the finals to lift the Cup for the one-third time. however, they did not qualify for either of the future two tournaments. [ 11 ]
2010 World Cup [edit ]
On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi. [ 12 ]
Nigeria played against South Korea at 2010 FIFA World Cup Nigeria lost its orifice match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a controversial Gabriel Heinze heading in the 6th minute. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] In its irregular game Nigeria led early on by a finish from Kalu Uche. A loss card against Sani Kaita gave Greece the advantage. Greece scored the counterweight former in the inaugural half and Nigeria conceded the second goal in the second base one-half and lost the game 2–1. In their last group stage match against South Korea, Nigeria took an early lead in the 12th hour off of a big finish by Kalu Uche after a low hybridization from Chidi Odiah. however, goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chu-Young gave South Korea a 2–1 run, which looked to be enough for South Korea to advance into the beat of 16. however, Nigeria got a probability in the 66th minute, on the end of a sink from Ayila Yussuf that was fed through the south korean defense was none early than Yakubu, once the pass found Yakubu ‘s foot about four yards away from the evacuate goal, Yakubu pushed the ball wide of the left field position to leave South Korea still ahead 2–1. Three minutes later, Yakubu was able to calmly finish a punishment to knot the score at two each, but Nigeria was unable to score again and the match ended in a 2–2 trace. With this resultant role, Nigeria was eliminated from the 2010 World Cup with merely one decimal point, while South Korea advanced into the polish of 16 with four points. On 30 June 2010, following the team ‘s early die and inadequate show, the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national football team from international competition for two years. [ 15 ] This pause put the team at hazard of being banned from external football by FIFA for reasons of political intervention. [ 16 ] On 5 July 2010, the nigerian government rescinded its banish of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions, [ 17 ] but the sanction of pause was applied by FIFA some three months after. [ 18 ] On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government noise following the 2010 World Cup. [ 18 ] Four days late, however, the bachelor of arts in nursing was “ provisionally lifted ” until 26 October, the day after the officially unrecognized players ‘ union – National Association of nigerian Footballers ( NANF ) dropped its court case against the NFF. [ 19 ]
2014 World Cup [edit ]
Nigeria ‘s campaign in the 2014 FIFA World Cup opened with a disappoint 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 beginning World Cup gain since 1998. They faced Argentina another four days late : a 3rd minute Lionel Messi goal for the opposition was followed about immediately with an counterweight by Ahmed Musa. Messi gave Argentina the lead back just before half-time. In the second base one-half Musa leveled the game out again, Lionel Messi was substituted and handed over his captainship to Marcos Rojo alone for Rojo to put Argentina 3–2 ahead minutes late. nigeria lost the match, but silent qualified for the round of 16. In the Round of 16 Nigeria faced France, an 18th-minute stab dart 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 infinitesimal when a hybrid 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 gear fourth dimension Nigeria is eliminated in the rung of 16 and they were not hush able to enter the Quarter-finals in the FIFA World Cup .
2018 World Cup [edit ]
Nigeria v 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 stagecoach matches with a 2–1 gain over Zambia in Ndola [ 20 ] and defeated Algeria 3–1 in their second match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. [ 21 ] They went on to beat Cameroon 5–1 home and away in a back to back contest. [ 22 ] 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. [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] On 3 June 2018, coach Gernot Rohr unveiled a 23-man team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. [ 26 ] Nigeria lost their first meet of the tournament 0–2 to Croatia in Kaliningrad, [ 27 ] before they won 2–0 in the moment match against brave Iceland, [ 28 ] with Ahmed Musa scoring both goals. [ 29 ] Nigeria had a huge find to qualify to the adjacent circle as Argentina was demolished 3–0 by Croatia. Despite this advantage, they lost 2–1 in their last group stage equal against Argentina, [ 30 ] with one finish by Victor Moses. [ 31 ] For this defeat, and followed with Iceland ‘s defeat to Croatia, Nigeria missed the opportunity to advance to the beat of 16 and got eliminated from the tournament. [ 32 ]
2019 Africa Cup of Nations [edit ]
The Super Eagles started their crusade at the 2019 AFCON by defeating Burundi 1–0 in group B open meet. They went on to defeat Guinea and lost 2–0 to Madagascar in their final examination group stage meet. The round of 16 saw the national football team of Nigeria defeating Cameroon 3–2 with goals coming from Jude Ighalo and Iwobi, they late went on to confront South Africa in the quarter-finals of the tournament. An 89th-minute header from Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the jumper cable over South Africa and the equal ended 2–1 in favor of Nigeria. Nigeria faced Algeria in the semi-finals and were knocked out of the tournament after a 95th infinitesimal free kick from Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria the precede. The Super Eagles later faced Tunisia in a third base pace match which they won 1–0 with the alone goal coming from Ighalo which made him the lead scorer of the tournament.
Read more: Tiki-taka – Wikipedia
2021 Africa Cup of Nations [edit ]
On 18 July 2019, the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ) released the string for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations reservation. The Super Eagles were grouped in group L aboard Lesotho, Benin, and Sierra Leone. Nigeria started out by defeating Benin 2–1 at Uyo in their first gear group peer and late went on to beat Lesotho 4–2 in an away match. In March 2020, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ), postponed all AFCON qualifiers indefinitely. [ 33 ]
team image [edit ]
Argentina versus Nigeria in a friendly match on 14 November 2017
Kits and crest [edit ]
The Nigeria national team has traditionally used a mostly-solid green on k elementary put with ashen number, inscription, and highlights ; coupled with all-white overrule junior-grade kits, all emblematic of the colors of the nigerian ease up. The shade of green has varied over the years. An olive drab-tinged, forest green was frequently favored during the 1980s to the early on 1990s, and jade has appeared in each of those decades adenine good ; even harlequin has been used. Over the final decade, the team has appeared to settle on the more standard agency green which most closely resembles the shade used on the iris. Nigeria ‘s beginning home teams used a solid red top over white shorts and socks until the country adopted its stream colors after its independence. [ 34 ] On 23 April 2015, Nike was announced to be the supplier of Nigeria ‘s kits after Adidas ended their kit contract with the NFF. [ 35 ] [ 36 ] Before that, Nike supplied Nigeria ‘s kit between 1998 and 2003 .
Kit suppliers [edit ]
Kit deals [edit ]
| Kit supplier | Period | Contract announcement |
Contract duration |
Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nike
|
2015–present | 2015-04-23 | 1 May 2015 – 30 October 2018 (3 years & 6 months)[39] | Total $3.75m / 743m Naira[40] | |
| 2018-11-20 | 1 November 2018 – 30 October 2022 (4 years) | Undisclosed[41] | 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 undergo much evolution throughout its history. Prior to independence, they were called the Red Devils due to their red topped kits. [ 42 ] The name was changed to the Green Eagles after independence in reference point to the nigerian country sag deoxyadenosine monophosphate 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 inactive called the Green Eagles, but at a reception after the tournament, the team ‘s name was formally changed to the “ Super Eagles ”. [ 43 ] [ 44 ] today, only the elder men ‘s national team uses the nickname. The women ‘s national team is called the “ Super Falcons ”, and Nigeria ‘s minor male teams are nicknamed the “ Flying Eagles ” & the “ golden Eaglets ” .
Media coverage [edit ]
The nigerian football confederation presently has an active voice deal with the parent caller of AIT and Ray Power Radio. [ 45 ] Internationally, Nigeria ‘s qualifiers and african Cup matches are regularly broadcast afield by the multi-platform international sports network, beIN Sports and south african broadcaster SuperSport. [ 46 ] Nigeria ‘s international friendlies are regularly scheduled in the UK through autonomous organizers and are marketed to the area ‘s big population of nigerian expatriates .
Supporters [edit ]
Though the club is most noteworthy at Nigeria ‘s home matches wearing green-themed embroider outfits specific to the club along with wigs, hats and large sunglasses while dancing, singing, playing drums and trumpets, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as carrying pommy poms, culturally meaning objects, inflatable beachballs, and waving flags ; they have besides shown a presence traveling afield to support Nigeria in away matches. [ 47 ] [ 48 ] however, the club ‘s efforts at improving the standard atmosphere at Nigeria ‘s home and off matches are beset by funding issues, corruption and infighting. [ 49 ] The club ‘s stream headway, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has drawn criticism from its membership and is under imperativeness to defer the leadership to one of his deputies. [ 50 ] A unconstipated sight at Nigerian home matches is besides their brass and percussion band, whose rendition of well-known Highlife songs provides nigerian home matches with a singular tactile property. In Nigeria, these performers are occasionally conspicuous with their military uniforms or they may be members of the Football Supporters Club. [ 51 ] A popular chant among supporters from all over the nation, after a finish scored, is “ Oshe Baba ! “, which means “ Thank you father ! ” in Yoruba .
Rivalries [edit ]
Ghana [edit ]
many important matches have been played against assorted nations who have been casual rivals. Of these nations, Ghana is widely considered Nigeria ‘s basal rival as the two sides have met one another more than any early opponent, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as being two of the most successful national teams in Africa. The record is dominated by Ghana although Nigeria has enjoyed periods of achiever. The most luminary of these periods are the early contests during the 1950s, and matches that took station in the early 2000s. FIFA lists the foremost official equal 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. [ 52 ] 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 contemporary nation of Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. Nigeria, prior to adopting the national colors of green and white, wore scarlet tops over white shorts and were known as the “ Red Devils ”. [ 34 ] The two sides played for several competition and tournament cups during this period in which full international competition was barred to them .
cameroon [edit ]
Nigeria ‘s neighbors to the east, Cameroon, have besides played Nigeria a number of times over the years. The teams have met three times in the african Cup of Nations Final with Cameroon winning each time. Both carry histories of continental achiever and World Cup representation that is about unrivaled on the african continent. Their competition began in 1960 and since then, Nigeria has proved to be a more commanding team, but in all three AFCON Final matches at 1984, 1988 and 2000, Cameroon have all prevailed over Nigeria. The two national teams besides repeatedly compete to show who is the best in Africa. While Nigeria has entirely managed to pass the group stage once, Cameroon has reached the quarter-finals, while Nigeria has been ineffective to do therefore .
other african nations [edit ]
There is besides a number of competitive matches with Algeria dating back to the 1970s. The two sides met doubly in the african Cup of Nations finals, with each nation splitting the acquire totals. It was a 1–1 draw in Algeria on 8 October 1993 that enabled Nigeria to claim its first base World Cup mooring in the 1994 edition of the tournament. Nigeria since then had an undefeated mottle to Algeria, until the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when Algeria prevailed over Nigeria. 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 against Nigeria ‘s fourteen wins, and with the sides having only met six times since 1980, Benin remains a lightly see opponent .
Argentina [edit ]
In five of its beginning 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. [ 53 ] The repair is the most common in the competition ‘s history involving an african nation. [ 54 ] 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 beginning meet, during which they held a contribute for some minutes of the pit. This was followed by a Confederations Cup match in 1995 which saw Nigeria hold the South Americans to a 0–0 draw. Below full external level, their Olympic teams besides faced off in the gold decoration peer in 1996 ( 3–2 to Nigeria ), and 2008 ( 1–0 to Argentina ). The final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was besides 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 elder team in the 2014 [ 55 ] and 2018 [ 56 ] World Cup fixtures. The match-up holds some importance to many nigerian football fans who regard the challenge as an important measure stick for the development of nigerian football. however although it means less to Argentinean fans, matches against Nigeria are constantly seen as needed to be played with caution. [ 57 ] [ 58 ] [ 59 ] [ 60 ]
home stadium [edit ]
Abuja home stadium The Moshood Abiola National Stadium ( once known as National Stadium, Abuja ) serves as the official home stadium of the Super Eagles. respective international matches are played in other stadiums across the nation. 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 catch venues [edit ]
late results and fixtures [edit ]
W in D bare-assed L bone The be is a list of match results in the last 12 months, equally well as any future matches that have been scheduled .
2021 [edit ]
2022 [edit ]
Personnel [edit ]
The nigerian Super Eagles managerial staff is made up of a technical adviser who serves as the coach in appoint of full international matches and a head coach who serves as the first base assistant coach in charge of the home-based Super Eagles adenine well as the CHAN tournament and early home based competitions. other positions besides include the technical assistants and the goalkeeper flight simulator. Gernot Rohr is the Super Eagle ‘s Technical Adviser, he has held this status since 2016. [ 64 ] [ 65 ] [ 66 ] [ 67 ]
Coaching history [edit ]
Players [edit ]
The trace players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup reservation matches against Liberia and Cape Verde on 13 and 16 November 2021. [ 70 ]
Caps and goals current as of 13 November 2021 after the match against Liberia.
recent call-ups [edit ]
The following players have besides been called up to the Nigeria team within the last 12 months .
Records [edit ]
- As of 10 October 2021[71]
- Players in bold are still active with Nigeria.
Most appearances [edit ]
top goalscorers [edit ]
competitive read [edit ]
FIFA World Cup phonograph record [edit ]
- Notes
- ^ All african nations withdrew due to a miss of qualifying berths .
african Cup of Nations [edit ]
- *Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via a penalty shoot-out.
- **Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
african Nations championship [edit ]
| African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | * | |||||
 2009
|
Did not qualify | |||||||
 2011
|
||||||||
 2014 |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 8 |
 2016 |
Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
 2018 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
 2020
|
Did not qualify | |||||||
 2022
|
To be determined | |||||||
| Total | Runners-up | 3/6 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 24 | 17 |
WAFU Nations Cup record [edit ]
| WAFU Nations Cup | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) / Year | Round | Position | ||||||
 2010 |
Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | |
| 2011 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
 2013
|
Did not enter | |||||||
| 2017 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
 2019
|
To be determined | |||||||
| Total | 1 Title | 3/4 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 9 |