Nigeria national football team

Nigeria

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 (95)
Top scorer	Rashidi Yekini (37)
Home stadium	Abuja Stadium
FIFA code	NGA
FIFA ranking	28
Highest FIFA ranking	5 (April 1994)
Lowest FIFA ranking	82 (November 1999)
Elo ranking	30
Highest Elo ranking	14 (31 May 2004)
Lowest Elo ranking	87 (27 December 1964)
First colours Second colours
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria (Freetown, Sierra Leone; 10 August 1949)
Biggest win
Nigeria 10–1 Dahomey (Lagos, Nigeria; 28 November 1959)
Biggest defeat
Gold Coast 7–0 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	17 (First in 1963)
Best result	Winners, 1980, 1994 & 2013
Confederations Cup
Appearances	1 (First in 1995)
Best result	4th, 1995

The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed Super Eagles or previously Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). During April 1994, Super Eagles ranked 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, the highest ranking achieved by an African football team. They are the current Africa Cup of Nations champions. A worthy and powerful team of striking style, they have won the Africa Cup of Nations a total of 3 times, and have reached the FIFA World Cup round of 16 twice. Also, at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, they became the first African football team to win gold at the Summer Olympic Games.

History

FIFA World Cup

Nigeria is currently ranked 31 on the FIFA World Rankings. After playing other colonies in unofficial games since the 1930s, 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 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 the 1976 and 1978 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 the 1990 World Cup and then the controversial final of the 2000 African Cup of Nations where a goal scored by Victor Ikpeba during a penalty shoot out was disallowed by the referee.^{[citation needed]}

1994 World Cup

Nigeria finally reached the World Cup for the first time in 1994. 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 Quarterfinals of the 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. The game ended 2–1 in favour of the Azzurris.

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.

2002 & 2006 World Cups

The 2002 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 defence 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.

2010 World Cup

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

Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute. 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. 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. This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference. On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions, but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after. On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup. 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.

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record
Year	Host(s)	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	URU	Did not enter
1934	ITA	Did not enter
1938	FRA	Did not enter
1950	BRA	Did not enter
1954	SWI	Did not enter
1958	SWE	Did not enter
1962	CHI	Did not qualify
1966	ENG	Withdrew
1970	MEX	Did not qualify
1974	FRG	Did not qualify
1978	ARG	Did not qualify
1982	ESP	Did not qualify
1986	MEX	Did not qualify
1990	ITA	Did not qualify
1994	USA	Round of 16	1st in group	4	2	0	2	7	4
1998	FRA	Round of 16	1st in group	4	2	0	2	6	9
2002	KOR and JPN	Group Stage	4th in group	3	0	1	2	1	3
2006	GER	Did not qualify
2010	RSA	Group Stage	4th in group	3	0	1	2	3	5
2014	BRA	To be decided
2018	RUS	To be decided
2022	QAT	To be decided
World Cup total				14	4	2	8	17	21

Notes

Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times (1980, 1994 and most recently, 2013). They have been runners-up four times (1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000). They have finished in third place seven times, including four times recently (2002, 2004, 2006, and 2010). On 10 February 2013 they beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso to lift the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time. This was the first time a Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi the captain of the 1994 AFCON champions, would lead the Super Eagles to Cup success.

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D *	L	GF	GA	Squad
1992	Did Not Qualify
1995	Fourth Place	4th	3	1	2	0	4	1	Squad
1997	Did Not Qualify
1999
2001
2003
2005
2009
2013	QUALIFIED
2017	To Be Determined
2021
Total	Fourth Place	2/9	3	1	2	0	4	1	-

Recent results

Main article: Nigeria national football team 2013

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head Coach	Stephen Keshi
Assistant Coach	Daniel Amokachi
Personal Assistant to Head Coach	Valere Hoaundinou
Goalkeeper Trainer	Ike Shorunmu
Assistant Goalkeeper Trainer	Sylvanus Okpala

Kit history

1994 WC Home

1994 WC Away

1998 WC Home

2002 WC Home

Current squad

The following 30 players were called up ahead of camp for the May 2013 friendly against Mexico and the 2013 Confederations Cup. Caps and goals current as of 23 March 2013. All caps/goals against FIFA members only.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club 1GK Vincent Enyeama (1982-08-29) 29 August 1982 78 0 Maccabi Tel Aviv 1GK Austin Ejide (1984-04-08) 8 April 1984 24 0 Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1GK Chigozie Agbim (1984-11-28) 28 November 1984 5 0 Enugu Rangers 1GK Daniel Akpeyi (1986-08-03) 3 August 1986 0 0 Heartland F.C. 2DF Uwa Elderson Echiéjilé (1988-01-20) 20 January 1988 27 1 Braga 2DF Efe Ambrose (1988-10-18) 18 October 1988 22 1 Celtic 2DF Godfrey Oboabona (1990-08-16) 16 August 1990 19 0 Sunshine Stars 2DF Azubuike Egwuekwe (1988-11-28) 28 November 1988 12 0 Warri Wolves 2DF Kenneth Omeruo (1993-10-17) 17 October 1993 8 0 ADO Den Haag 2DF Solomon Kwambe (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 3 0 Sunshine Stars 2DF Francis Benjamin (1993-01-02) 2 January 1993 0 0 Heartland F.C. 2DF Ebenezer Odunlami (1990-03-05) 5 March 1990 0 0 Sunshine Stars 3MF Mikel John Obi (1987-04-22) 22 April 1987 46 3 Chelsea 3MF Ahmed Musa (1992-10-14) 14 October 1992 26 4 CSKA Moscow 3MF Sunday Mba (1988-11-28) 28 November 1988 11 5 Warri Wolves 3MF Fegor Ogude (1987-07-29) 29 July 1987 11 0 Vålerenga 3MF Reuben Gabriel (1990-09-25) 25 September 1990 10 1 Kilmarnock 3MF Ogenyi Onazi (1992-12-25) 25 December 1992 9 1 Lazio 3MF Obinna Nwachukwu (1992-01-18) 18 January 1992 4 0 Heartland F.C. 3MF Nnamdi Oduamadi (1990-10-17) 17 October 1990 2 1 AS Varese 1910 3MF John Ugochukwu (1988-04-20) 20 April 1988 1 0 Académica de Coimbra 3MF Michel Babatunde (1992-12-24) 24 December 1992 0 0 Kryvbas Kryvyi 3MF Emeka Eze (1992-12-22) 22 December 1992 0 0 Enugu Rangers 4FW Kalu Uche (1982-11-15) 15 November 1982 34 5 Kasımpaşa S.K. 4FW Emmanuel Emenike (1987-05-10) 10 May 1987 14 5 Spartak Moscow 4FW Ideye Aide Brown (1988-10-10) 10 October 1988 14 2 Dynamo Kyiv 4FW Victor Moses (1990-12-12) 12 December 1990 13 4 Chelsea 4FW Joseph Akpala (1986-08-24) 24 August 1986 5 1 Werder Bremen 4FW Mohammed Gambo (1988-03-10) 10 March 1988 0 0 Kano Pillars 4FW Anthony Ujah (1990-10-14) 14 October 1990 0 0 Köln 4FW Gomo Onduku (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 0 0 Bayelsa United

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 call-up GK Moses Ocheje (1988-05-21) 21 May 1988 0 0 Sunshine Stars v.Niger, 15 August 2012 (Friendly) GK Okemute Odah (1988-11-23) 23 November 1988 0 0 Sharks F.C. v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) DF Joseph Yobo (c) (1980-09-06) 6 September 1980 95 7 Fenerbahçe 2013 Cup of Nations DF Juwon Oshaniwa (1990-09-14) 14 September 1990 10 0 Ashdod 2013 Cup of Nations DF Chibuzor Okonkwo (1988-12-16) 16 December 1988 9 0 Heartland F.C. 2013 Cup of Nations training camp DF Danny Shittu (1980-09-02) 2 September 1980 32 0 Millwall 2013 Cup of Nations training camp Withdrew DF Papa Idris (1989-07-27) 27 July 1989 4 0 Kano Pillars 2013 Cup of Nations training camp DF Umar Zango (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 2 0 Kano Pillars v. Venezuela, 15 November 2012 Friendly DF Onyekachi Apam (1986-12-30) 30 December 1986 7 0 Rennes F.C. v. Venezuela, 15 November 2012 Friendly DF Kingsley Udoh (1990-12-07) 7 December 1990 1 0 Heartland F.C. v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) DF Uzochukwu Ogonna 2 0 Enugu Rangers v.Niger, 15 August 2012 (Friendly) DF Gege Soriola (1988-11-21) 21 November 1988 1 0 Free State Stars v. Rwanda, June 2012 (ACNQ) DF Shehu Maija'ma (1988-11-28) 28 November 1988 0 0 Wikki Tourists v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) MF Nwankwo Obiorah (1989-06-18) 18 June 1989 8 0 CFR Cluj 2013 Cup of Nations MF Ejike Uzoenyi (1988-03-23) 23 March 1988 12 0 Rennes F.C. 2013 Cup of Nations MF Nosa Igiebor (1990-11-09) 9 November 1990 8 2 Real Betis 2013 Cup of Nations MF Raheem Lawal (1990-05-04) 4 May 1990 4 0 Adana Demirspor 2013 Cup of Nations training camp MF Rabiu Ibrahim (1991-03-15) 15 March 1991 0 0 Kilmarnock F.C. 2013 Cup of Nations training camp MF Henry Uche (1988-11-03) 3 November 1988 5 0 Enyimba v. Venezuela, 15 November 2012 (Friendly) MF Joel Obi (1991-05-22) 22 May 1991 12 0 Internazionale v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) MF Solomon Jabason (1988-05-13) 13 May 1988 1 0 Akwa United v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) MF Christian Ofili (1987-08-08) 8 August 1987 0 0 ABS v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) MF Philip Asuquo (1992-12-18) 18 December 1992 1 0 Shooting Stars v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) MF Ossai Uche 2 0 Warri Wolves v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) FW Obafemi Martins (1984-10-28) 28 October 1984 39 18 Seattle Sounders v. Kenya, 23 March 2013 (2014 World Cup qualifier) FW Ikechukwu Uche (1984-01-05) 5 January 1984 45 18 Villarreal 2013 Cup of Nations FW Uche Kalu (1986-05-16) 16 May 1986 7 1 Rizespor 2013 Cup of Nations training camp FW Bright Dike (1987-02-02) 2 February 1987 1 0 Portland Timbers 2013 Cup of Nations training camp FW Shola Ameobi (1981-10-12) 12 October 1981 1 0 Newcastle United 2013 Cup of Nations training camp Withdrew FW Sanusi Sani (1994-01-15) 15 January 1994 1 0 Enugu Rangers v. Venezuela, 15 November 2012 Friendly FW Izu Azuka (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 4 0 Sunshine Stars v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) FW Fidelis Saviour (1988-04-18) 18 April 1988 0 0 Enyimba v. Liberia, 13 October 2012 (ACNQ) FW Sibi Gwar (1987-09-09) 9 September 1987 1 0 Enyimba v. Liberia, 8 September 2012 (ACNQ) FW Kabiru Umar 2 0 Heartland v.Niger, 15 August 2012 (Friendly) FW John Utaka (1982-01-08) 8 January 1982 45 6 Montpellier v. Rwanda, June 2012 (ACNQ) FW Sone Aluko (1989-02-19) 19 February 1989 2 0 Hull City v. Rwanda, June 2012 (ACNQ) FW Ekigho Ehiosun (1989-05-12) 12 May 1989 6 1 Gençlerbirliği v. Rwanda, June 2012 (ACNQ) FW Emmanuel Nwachi (1986-10-12) 12 October 1986 0 0 Dolphins v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) FW Gbolahan Salami (1991-04-15) 15 April 1991 0 0 Enyimba v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) FW Barnabas Imenger Jr. (1991-11-24) 24 November 1991 2 0 Lobi Stars v.Peru, 23 May 2012 (Friendly) Managers John Finch (1949) Elliot Williams (1954–1956) Les Courtier (1956–1960) Dominic Taylor (1960–1961) George Vardar (1961–1963) Joey Blackwell (1963–1964) Daniel Anyiam (1964–1965) József Ember (1965–1968) Peter 'Eto' Amaechina (1969–1970) Karl-Heinz Marotzke (1970–1971) Jorge Penna (1972–1973) Karl-Heinz Marotzke (1974) Tihomir 'Tiki' Jelisavčić (1974–1978) Otto Glória (1979–1982) Gottlieb Göller (1981) Festus Onigbinde (1983–1984) Chris Udemezue (1984–1986) Patrick Ekeji (1985) Paul Hamilton (1987–1989) Manfred Hoener (1988–1989) Clemens Westerhof (1989–1994) Shaibu Amodu (1994–1995) Jo Bonfrere (1995–1996) Shaibu Amodu (1996–1997) Philippe Troussier (1997) Monday Sinclair (1997–1998) Bora Milutinović (1998) Thijs Libregts (1999) Jo Bonfrere (1999–2001) Shaibu Amodu (2001–2002) Festus Onigbinde (2002) Christian Chukwu (2002–2005) Augustine Eguavoen (2005–2007) Berti Vogts (2007–2008) James Peters (2008) Shaibu Amodu (2008–2010) Lars Lagerbäck (2010) Augustine Eguavoen (2010) Samson Siasia (2010–2011) Stephen Keshi (2011–) Player records Player records are accurate as 22 March 2013. Most capped Nigeria players # Player Career Caps Goals 1 Joseph Yobo 2001 – present 95 7 2 Nwankwo Kanu 1994–2011 87 13 3 Mudashiru Lawal 1975–1985 86 12 4 Vincent Enyeama 2002 – present 78 0 5 Jay-Jay Okocha 1993–2006 73 14 6 Uche Okechukwu 1990–1998 71 1 7 Stephen Keshi 1983–1995 65 ?? 8 Sunday Oliseh 1993–2002 63 4 9 Finidi George 1991–2002 62 6 Peter Rufai 1983 – 1998 62 0 11 Aloysius Atuegbu 1975–1981 60 ?? Henry Nwosu 1980–1991 60 8 13 Rashidi Yekini 1984–1998 58 37 14 Yakubu Aiyegbeni 2000 – present 57 21 15 Peter Odemwingie 2002 – present 55 9 16 Mutiu Adepoju 1990–2002 54 5 Christian Chukwu ????–???? 54 ?? 18 Taye Taiwo 2004 – present 53 5 Garba Lawal 1993–2006 53 5 Augustine Eguavoen 1986–1998 53 0 21 Samson Siasia 1984–1999 51 16 22 Benedict Iroha 1990–1998 50 1 23 Segun Odegbami ????-???? 48 24 24 Mikel John Obi 2005 – present 46 3 25 John Utaka 2002 – present 45 6 Sylvanus Okpala 1979–1988 45 5 Ikechukwu Uche 2007 – present 45 18 28 Victor Obinna 2005 – present 44 11 Seyi Olofinjana 2002 – present 44 0 30 Daniel Amokachi 1990–1999 42 14 31 Taribo West 1994–2002 41 0 Top goalscorers # Player Career Goals Caps Avg/Game 1 Rashidi Yekini 1984–1998 37 58 0.638 2 Segun Odegbami 1976–1982 24 48 0.5 3 Yakubu Aiyegbeni 2000 – present 21 57 0.368 4 Obafemi Martins 2004 – present 18 37 0.486 Ikechukwu Uche 2007 – present 18 44 0.4 5 Sunday Oyarekhua 1971–1976 17 28 0.607 7 Samson Siasia 1984–1999 16 51 0.314 8 Thompson Usiyan 1976–1981 15 25 0.6 9 Jay-Jay Okocha 1993–2006 14 73 0.192 Daniel Amokachi 1990–1999 14 42 0.333 Julius Aghahowa 1999–2005 14 32 0.438 12 Asuquo Ekpe Sr ????-???? 13 28 0.464 13 Nwankwo Kanu 1994–2011 12 87 0.14 Mudashiru Lawal 1975–1985 12 86 0.14 Paul Hamilton 19??-19?? 12 26 0.462 16 Victor Obinna 2005 – present 11 44 0.138 17 Peter Odemwingie 2002 – present 9 55 0.164 References External links Kick Off Nigeria – Nigerian Football/Soccer News Cyber Eagles – Nigerian Football Discussion Forum GreenEagles.org – Unofficial Database of The Super Eagles of Nigeria RSSSF archive of results 1955–2008