Nigeria national football team

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Nigeria
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Super Eagles
Association Nigeria Football Federation
Sub-confederation WAFU (West Africa)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Stephen Keshi
Captain Joseph Yobo
Most caps Joseph Yobo (87)[1]
Top scorer Rashidi Yekini (37)
Home stadium Abuja Stadium
FIFA code NGA
FIFA ranking 57
Highest FIFA ranking 5 (April 1994)
Lowest FIFA ranking 82 (November 1999)
Elo ranking 45
Highest Elo ranking 14 (31 May 2004)
Lowest Elo ranking 87 (27 December 1964)
Home colours
Away colours
First international
Ng westafricasettlements.png Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria Nigeria
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)[2]
Biggest win
Nigeria Nigeria 10–1 Dahomey 
(Lagos, Nigeria; 28 November 1959)
Biggest defeat
 Gold Coast 7–0 Nigeria Nigeria
(Accra, Gold Coast; 1 June 1955)
World Cup
Appearances 4 (First in 1994)
Best result Round of 16, 1994 & 1998
African Nations Cup
Appearances 16 (First in 1963)
Best result Winners, 1980 & 1994
Confederations Cup
Appearances 1 (First in 1995)
Best result 4th, 1995

The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green 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 FIFA World Cup finals four times.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] FIFA World Cup

After playing other colonies in unofficial games since the 1930s,[3] 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[citation needed].

[edit] 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 two minutes 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.

[edit] 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 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.

[edit] 2002 & 2006 World Cups

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.

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.

[edit] 2010 World Cup

On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi.[4]

Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute.[5] 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 late in the first half and Nigeria conceded the second goal in the second half and lost the game 2–1. They then drew 2–2 with South Korea with goals from Kalu Uche and Yakubu but 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.[6] This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.[7] On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions,[8] but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after.[9] On October 4, 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup.[9] Four days later, however, the ban was "provisionally lifted" until 26 October, the day after the officially unrecognised National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) dropped its court case against the NFF.[10]

12 June 2010
16:00
 Argentina  1–0  Nigeria Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 55,686
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Heinze Goal 6' Report
17 June 2010
16:00
 Greece  2–1  Nigeria Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 31,593
Referee: Óscar Ruiz (Colombia)
Salpigidis Goal 44'
Torosidis Goal 71'		 Report Uche Goal 16'
2010-06-22
20:30 UTC+2
 Nigeria  2–2  South Korea Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 61,874
Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal)
Uche Goal 12'
Yakubu Goal 69' (pen.)		 Report Lee Jung-Soo Goal 38'
Park Chu-Young Goal 49'


Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Argentina 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9
 South Korea 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 4
 Greece 3 1 0 2 2 5 −3 3
 Nigeria 3 0 1 2 3 5 −2 1


[edit] World Cup Record

FIFA World Cup record
Year Host(s) Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Uruguay Did not enter
1934 Italy Did not enter
1938 France Did not enter
1950 Brazil Did not enter
1954 Switzerland Did not enter
1958 Sweden Did not enter
1962 Chile Did not qualify
1966 England Withdrew[n 1][11]
1970 Mexico Did not qualify
1974 West Germany Did not qualify
1978 Argentina Did not qualify
1982 Spain Did not qualify
1986 Mexico Did not qualify
1990 Italy Did not qualify
1994 United States Round of 16 1st in
group		 4 2 0 2 7 4
1998 France Round of 16 1st in
group		 4 2 0 2 6 9
2002 Japan and South Korea Group Stage 4th in
group		 3 0 1 2 1 3
2006 Germany Did not qualify
2010 South Africa Group Stage 4th in
group		 3 0 1 2 3 5
2014 Brazil To be decided
2018 Russia To be decided
2022 Qatar To be decided
World Cup total 14 4 2 8 17 21
Notes
  1. ^ All African nations withdrew due to a lack of qualifying berths.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 To Be Determined
Russia 2017
Qatar 2021
Total Fourth Place 1/8 3 1 2 0 4 1 -

[edit] Recent results

Main article: Nigeria national football team 2012

[edit] Coaching staff

Position Name
Manager Stephen Keshi
Assistant Manager Daniel Amokachi
Assistant Manager Valere HoaundinouTogo
Coach Sylvanus Okpala
Goalkeeping Coach Ike Shorunmu

[edit] Kit History

1994 WC Home
1994 WC Away
1998 WC Home

[edit] Current squad

The following players were called up to the Nigeria squad for the February 29 Cup of nations qualifier at Rwanda. Caps and goals current as of 29 February 2012.[12]

# Pos. Player Date of Birth (Age) Caps Goals Club
GK Vincent Enyeama August 29, 1982 (1982-08-29) (age 29) 65 1 France Lille
GK Chigozie Agbim November 28, 1984 (1984-11-28) (age 27) 2 0 Nigeria Warri Wolves
GK Okemute Odah November 23, 1988 (1988-11-23) (age 23) 0 0 Nigeria Sharks F.C.
DF Taye Taiwo April 16, 1985 (1985-04-16) (age 26) 53 5 England Queens Park Rangers
DF Joseph Yobo (Captain) September 6, 1980 (1980-09-06) (age 31) 87 7 Turkey Fenerbahçe
DF Papa Idris July 27, 1989 (1989-07-27) (age 22) 2 0 Nigeria Kano Pillars
DF Uche Oguchi September 19, 1987 (1987-09-19) (age 24) 3 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C.
DF Osas Omomo 1 0 Nigeria Sunshine Stars
DF Juwon Oshaniwa September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14) (age 21) 2 0 Nigeria Sharks F.C.
DF Azubuike Egwueke 3 0 Nigeria Warri Wolves
DF Godfrey Obobona August 16, 1990 (1990-08-16) (age 21) 3 0 Nigeria Sunshine Stars
DF Ossai Uche 2 0 Nigeria Warri Wolves
MF Ahmed Musa October 14, 1992 (1992-10-14) (age 19) 14 1 Russia CSKA Moscow
MF Joel Obi May 22, 1991 (1991-05-22) (age 20) 12 0 Italy Internazionale
MF Dickson Etuhu June 8, 1982 (1982-06-08) (age 29) 20 0 England Fulham
MF Sani Kaita May 2, 1986 (1986-05-02) (age 25) 22 0 Ukraine Tavriya Simferopol
MF Izu Azuka May 24, 1989 (1989-05-24) (age 22) 1 0 Nigeria Sunshine Stars
MF Ikechukwu Ibenegbu February 22, 1986 (1986-02-22) (age 26) 2 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C.
MF Kingsley Salami February 27, 1987 (1987-02-27) (age 25) 1 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C.
MF Reuben Gabriel September 25, 1990 (1990-09-25) (age 21) 4 0 Nigeria Enyimba
MF Sunday Emmanuel July 15, 1987 (1987-07-15) (age 24) 2 0 Nigeria Enyimba
MF Henry Uche 1 0 Nigeria Enyimba
MF Sunday Mbah November 28, 1988 (1988-11-28) (age 23) 2 2 Nigeria Warri Wolves
FW Ikechukwu Uche January 5, 1984 (1984-01-05) (age 28) 35 13 Spain Granada
FW Peter Odemwingie July 15, 1981 (1981-07-15) (age 30) 55 9 England West Bromwich Albion
FW Yakubu Aiyegbeni November 22, 1982 (1982-11-22) (age 29) 55 20 England Blackburn Rovers
FW Ejike Uzoenyi March 23, 1988 (1988-03-23) (age 23) 3 0 Nigeria Enugu Rangers
FW Kabiru Umar 2 0 Nigeria Heartland
FW Uche Kalu May 16, 1986 (1986-05-16) (age 25) 2 0 Nigeria Enyimba
FW Obinna Nwachukwu January 18, 1992 (1992-01-18) (age 20) 2 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C.
FW Victor Moses December 12, 1990 (1990-12-12) (age 21) 1 0 England Wigan Athletic

[edit] Recent callups

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 Callup
GK Austin Ejide April 8, 1984 (1984-04-08) (age 27) 22 0 Israel Hapoel Petah Tikva v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
GK Dele Aiyenugba November 20, 1983 (1983-11-20) (age 28) 17 0 Israel Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv v.  Guinea, Oct. 7, 2011 (ACNQ)
DF Chibuzor Okonkwo December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16) (age 23) 9 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C. v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé January 20, 1988 (1988-01-20) (age 24) 15 0 Portugal Sporting Braga v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Dele Adeleye December 25, 1988 (1988-12-25) (age 23) 11 0 Ukraine Tavriya Simferopol v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Efe Ambrose October 18, 1988 (1988-10-18) (age 23) 11 0 Israel Ashdod v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Ayila Yussuf November 4, 1984 (1984-11-04) (age 27) 31 1 Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Ugo Ukah January 18, 1984 (1984-01-18) (age 28) 1 0 Poland Widzew Łódź v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
DF Danny Shittu September 2, 1980 (1980-09-02) (age 31) 32 0 England Queens Park Rangers v.  Madagascar, Sept. 4, 2011 (ACNQ)
DF Yusuf Mohamed November 5, 1983 (1983-11-05) (age 28) 11 0 Sudan Al-Hilal v.  Ethiopia, June 5, 2011 (ACNQ)
MF Stanley Ohawuchi May 27, 1990 (1990-05-27) (age 21) 0 0 Nigeria Heartland F.C. v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
MF Chidi Osuchukwu October 11, 1993 (1993-10-11) (age 18) 0 0 Nigeria Dolphins v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
MF Kola Anubi March 3, 1987 (1987-03-03) (age 25) 0 0 Nigeria Sharks F.C. v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
MF Mikel John Obi April 22, 1987 (1987-04-22) (age 24) 37 2 England Chelsea v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Chinedu Obasi June 1, 1986 (1986-06-01) (age 25) 19 2 Germany Schalke 04 v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Fegor Ogude July 29, 1987 (1987-07-29) (age 24) 8 0 Norway Vålerenga v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Kalu Uche November 15, 1982 (1982-11-15) (age 29) 32 4 Spain Espanyol v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Nnamdi Oduamadi October 17, 1990 (1990-10-17) (age 21) 0 0 Italy Torino v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Nosa Igiebor November 9, 1990 (1990-11-09) (age 21) 2 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv v. Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
MF Emmanuel Ekpo December 20, 1987 (1987-12-20) (age 24) 1 0 United States Columbus Crew v.  Ghana, October 11, 2011 (Friendly)
MF Solomon Okoronkwo March 2, 1987 (1987-03-02) (age 25) 4 0 Hungary Pécsi MFC v.  Madagascar, Sept. 4, 2011 (ACNQ)
MF Isaac Promise December 2, 1987 (1987-12-02) (age 24) 0 0 Turkey Manisaspor v.  Ethiopia, June 5, 2011 (ACNQ)
FW Jude Aneke April 23, 1990 (1990-04-23) (age 21) 1 0 Nigeria Warri Wolves v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
FW Ibrahim Ajani May 13, 1990 (1990-05-13) (age 21) 0 0 Nigeria Sunshine Stars v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
FW Barnabas Imenger Jr. 1 0 Nigeria Kwara United v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
FW Ifeanyi Ude December 5, 1990 (1990-12-05) (age 21) 0 0 Nigeria Enyimba v.  Liberia, February 15, 2012 (Friendly)
FW Emmanuel Emenike May 10, 1987 (1987-05-10) (age 24) 6 1 Russia Spartak Moscow v.  Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
FW Ideye Aide Brown October 10, 1988 (1988-10-10) (age 23) 4 0 Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv v.  Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
FW Victor Obinna March 25, 1987 (1987-03-25) (age 24) 44 11 Russia Lokomotiv Moscow v.  Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
FW Ekigho Ehiosun May 12, 1989 (1989-05-12) (age 22) 5 1 Turkey Samsunspor v.  Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
FW Edward Ofere March 28, 1986 (1986-03-28) (age 25) 0 0 Italy Lecce v.  Zambia, Nov. 15, 2011(Friendly)
FW Peter Utaka February 12, 1984 (1984-02-12) (age 28) 8 3 China Dalian Aerbin v.  Ghana, October 11, 2011 (Friendly)
FW Victor Anichebe April 23, 1988 (1988-04-23) (age 23) 10 1 England Everton v.  Madagascar, Sept. 4, 2011 (ACNQ)
FW Shola Ameobi October 12, 1981 (1981-10-12) (age 30) 0 0 England Newcastle United v.  Ethiopia, June 5, 2011 (ACNQ)
FW Obafemi Martins October 28, 1984 (1984-10-28) (age 27) 37 18 Russia Rubin Kazan v.  Kenya, March 29, 2011 (Friendly)

[edit] Managers

[edit] References

  1. ^ Elassal, Mahmoud. "Yobo becomes Nigeria’s most capped player". ahramonline. http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/54/35802/Sports/Africa/Yobo-becomes-Nigeria%E2%80%99s-most-capped-player-----.aspx. Retrieved 7 March 2011. "Nigeria captain says victory at 2013 African Cup of Nations would make his joy complete." 
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Sierra Leone – List of International Matches". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/sier-intres.html. Retrieved 4 November 2010. 
  3. ^ http://www.tribune.com.ng/27122009/news/sports7.html Nigeria's First Football Captain
  4. ^ "Kenya 2–3 Nigeria". ESPN. 2009-11-14. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=262945&cc=5739. Retrieved 2009-11-14. 
  5. ^ "Argentina 1–0 Nigeria". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_04/default.stm. Retrieved 14 June 2010. 
  6. ^ "Nigeria president suspends team". BBC Sport. 2010-06-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8777118.stm. Retrieved 2010-06-30. 
  7. ^ Adigun, Bashir; Gambrell, Jon (30 June 2010). "Nigeria's president suspends soccer team". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-06-30-2295293910_x.htm. Retrieved 30 June 2010. 
  8. ^ "Nigerian government rescinds ban". ESPN Soccernet. 2010-07-05. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/806158/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global. Retrieved 2010-07-0. 
  9. ^ a b "Fifa issues world ban to Nigeria". BBC News. 4 October 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9060018.stm. 
  10. ^ "Fifa lifts Nigeria's suspension". BBC Sport. 8 October 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9075312.stm. Retrieved 2010-10-08. 
  11. ^ "VIII WORLD CUP (ENGLAND 1966) QUALIFYING STAGE". Lingua Sport. http://linguasport.com/futbol/internacional/mundial/England_66_pr.htm. Retrieved January 02, 2012. 
  12. ^ BBC Sport - Yakubu, Kaita and Etuhu given Nigeria chance

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