The Republic
Sports History

Since 1949 · Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), founded 1933 as NFA

Football (Association Football)

From the 1949 UK tour of the 'Red Devils' barefoot Nigerian XI to three Africa Cup of Nations titles (1980, 1994, 2013), Olympic gold (Atlanta 1996), and six FIFA World Cup appearances. The national team has been the Green Eagles → Super Eagles since 1988.

  1. 1949

    UK Tour — 'Red Devils'

    Host: England

    9 matches, played barefoot. P9 W2 D2 L5.

    Players:
    Titus Okere, Mesembe Otu, Etim Henshaw, Tesilim Balogun, Dan Anyiam
    Coach:
    Captained by Daniel Anyiam
    Body:
    Nigerian Football Association

    First overseas tour of any Nigerian team.

  2. 1980

    Africa Cup of Nations, Lagos

    Host: Nigeria

    WINNERS — defeated Algeria 3–0 in the final at National Stadium, Surulere.

    Players:
    Best Ogedegbe, Christian Chukwu (c), Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal, Felix Owolabi, Adokiye Amiesimaka
    Coach:
    Otto Glória (Brazil)
    Minister of Sport:
    Sylvester Ugoh (Sports oversight under NPN civilian govt)
    Body:
    NFA

    First continental title.

  3. 1994

    Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisia + FIFA World Cup, USA

    Host: Tunisia / USA

    AFCON: WINNERS, 2–1 vs Zambia. World Cup: Round of 16, lost 1–2 to Italy after leading.

    Players:
    Peter Rufai, Stephen Keshi (c), Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke
    Coach:
    Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands)
    Minister of Sport:
    Alex Akinyele (NSC chair)
    Body:
    NFA
  4. 1996

    Atlanta Olympics — football

    Host: USA

    GOLD — beat Brazil 4–3 in semifinal, Argentina 3–2 in final.

    Players:
    Nwankwo Kanu (c), Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amuneke, Tijani Babangida
    Coach:
    Jo Bonfrère (Netherlands)
    Minister of Sport:
    Jim Nwobodo (Sports)
    Body:
    NFA

    First African nation to win Olympic football gold.

  5. 2013

    Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa

    Host: South Africa

    WINNERS — beat Burkina Faso 1–0 (Sunday Mba goal).

    Players:
    Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo (c), Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiéjilé, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba
    Coach:
    Stephen Keshi
    Minister of Sport:
    Bolaji Abdullahi (Sports)
    Federal allocation:
    ₦35.9 bn — Ministry of Sports, 2013 Appropriation Act
    Body:
    NFF

    Keshi became the second person (after Mahmoud El-Gohary) to win AFCON as both player and coach.

  6. 2023

    Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d'Ivoire (played Jan/Feb 2024)

    Host: Côte d'Ivoire

    RUNNERS-UP — lost 1–2 to Côte d'Ivoire in the final.

    Players:
    Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong (c), Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen
    Coach:
    José Peseiro (Portugal)
    Minister of Sport:
    John Owan Enoh (Sports Development)
    Body:
    NFF