Wikipedia

Nigeria national football team

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[i] represents Nigeria in men's international football. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), they are three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, with their most recent title in 2013.[3] In February 2024, the Nigerian national football team was ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings. The team has qualified for six of the last eight FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions. They have reached the round of 16 on three occasions. Their first World Cup appearance was in the 1994 edition. The team is a member of FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Nigeria
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Super Eagles
AssociationNigeria Football Federation (NFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachAugustine Eguavoen (interim)
CaptainWilliam Troost-Ekong
Most capsAhmed Musa (109)
Top scorerRashidi Yekini (37)
Home stadiumMoshood Abiola National Stadium
FIFA codeNGA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 36 Increase 3 (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest5 (April 1994)
Lowest82 (November 1999)
First international
Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria 
(Freetown, Sierra Leone; 8 October 1949)
Biggest win
 São Tomé and Príncipe 0–10 Nigeria 
(Agadir, Morocco; 14 June 2022)
Biggest defeat
 Gold Coast and United Kingdom British Togoland 7–0 Nigeria 
(Accra, Gold Coast; 1 June 1955)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1994)
Best resultRound of 16 (1994, 1998, 2014)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances20 (first in 1963)
Best resultChampions (1980, 1994, 2013)
African Nations Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2014)
Best resultRunners-up (2018)
WAFU Nations Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2010)
Best resultChampions (2010)
Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1995)
Best resultFourth place (1995)
Medal record
African Games
Gold medal – first place 1973 Lagos Team
Silver medal – second place 1978 Algiers Team
Men's football
Africa Cup of Nations
Gold medal – first place 1980 Nigeria Team
Gold medal – first place 1994 Tunisia Team
Gold medal – first place 2013 South Africa Team
Silver medal – second place 1984 Ivory Coast Team
Silver medal – second place 1988 Morocco Team
Silver medal – second place 1990 Algeria Team
Silver medal – second place 2000 Ghana/Nigeria Team
Silver medal – second place 2023 Ivory Coast Team
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Ethiopia Team
Bronze medal – third place 1978 Ghana Team
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Senegal Team
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Mali Team
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Tunisia Team
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Egypt Team
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Egypt Team

History

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The Nigeria "UK Tourists" national team prior to their tour of the UK in 1949. The team were known among the West African nations at the time as the "Red Devils" due to their red shirts.

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 including Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet, Bishop Auckland, and South Liverpool. Nigeria's match against Marine A.F.C. at Rossett Park drew 6,000 spectators, a record for the small ground.

1963–1980

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Nigeria first 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 success was a gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa games in 1973 led by captain, Victor Oduah. The team went on to achieve 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 African Cup for the first time 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 process. They were runners-up in the same event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, losing to Argentina in a rematch of the 1996 Final of the event.[4][5]

In 1984, 1988 and 2000,[6] Nigeria reached the Cup of Nations final, 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 intense rivalry between both nations. Three notable occasions; narrowly losing out in the 1988 African Cup of Nations, qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup, and the controversial final of the 2000 African Cup of Nations where a kick taken by Victor Ikpeba during the penalty shoot-out was adjudged not to have crossed the goal-line by the referee.[7]

The team withdrew from two African Cup of Nations between 1963 and 1974, due to political instability and in 1996. In 1976, they came back to the Cup of Nations with third-place finishes in both the 1976 and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations.

1980–1990

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Nigeria hosted the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and also won their first Cup of Nations Title that year in Lagos. Ghana came out as runners-up three times and had one group stage elimination, between 1982 and 1990. They also failed to qualify for the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt.

1992–2006

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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 dark green
 
Clemens Westerhof managed the team from 1989 through the 1994 World Cup.

Nigeria finally reached the World Cup for the first time 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 second round after a 2–0 victory over Greece. In the second round, Nigeria played Italy and took the lead with a goal from Emmanuel Amunike in the 25th minute. Nigeria was within two minutes of qualifying for the quarter-finals, when 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 Italians. In 1996 the team withdrew from that year's African Cup of Nations under pressure from the country's military dictator Sani Abacha due to the criticism received from the tournament hosts South Africa and especially 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 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 were shattered after a 1–4 loss to Denmark. This is currently the only World Cup that 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 place at the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.

2002 and 2006 World Cups

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The 2002 World Cup in South 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 was 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 Argentina would go on to 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 failed to qualify 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.[8]

2008–2017

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Egypt versus Nigeria lineup at 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Uzomedia

In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria ended their campaign in the quarter 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 draw 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 run, they defeated Burkina Faso in the finals to lift the Cup for the third time. However, they did not qualify for either of the next two tournaments.[9]

2010 World Cup

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On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi.[10]

 
Nigeria played against South Korea at 2010 FIFA World Cup

Nigeria lost its opening match against Argentina 1–0 at Ellis Park Stadium following a controversial Gabriel Heinze header in the 6th minute.[11][12] 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. In their last group stage match against South Korea, Nigeria took an early lead in the 12th minute off of a great finish by Kalu Uche after a low cross from Chidi Odiah. However, goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chu-Young gave South Korea a 2–1 lead, which looked to be enough for South Korea to advance into the round of 16. However, Nigeria got a chance in the 66th minute, on the end of a pass from Ayila Yussuf that was fed through the South Korean defense was none other than Yakubu, once the pass found Yakubu's foot about four yards away from the empty goal, Yakubu pushed the ball wide of the left post to leave South Korea still ahead 2–1. Three minutes later, Yakubu was able to calmly finish a penalty to knot the score at two apiece, but Nigeria was unable to score again and the match ended in a 2–2 draw. With this result, Nigeria was eliminated from the 2010 World Cup with just one point, while South Korea advanced into the round of 16 with four points. On 30 June 2010, following the team's early exit and poor showing, the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national football team from international competition for two years.[13] This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.[14]

On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions,[15] but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after.[16] On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup.[16] Four days later, however, the ban was "provisionally lifted" until 26 October, the day after the officially unrecognised players' union – National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) dropped its court case against the NFF.[17]

2014 World Cup

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Line-ups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia & Herzegovina

Nigeria's campaign in the 2014 FIFA World Cup opened with a disappointing 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 first World Cup match win since 1998. They faced Argentina another four days later: a 3rd minute Lionel Messi goal for the opposition was followed almost instantly with an equalizer by Ahmed Musa. Messi gave Argentina the lead back just before half-time. In the second half, Musa leveled the game out again, Lionel Messi was substituted and handed over his captaincy to Marcos Rojo only for Rojo to put Argentina 3–2 ahead minutes later.

Nigeria lost the match, but still qualified for the round of 16. In the Round of 16, Nigeria faced France, an 18th-minute stabbed shot 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 minute when a cross 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 time Nigeria is eliminated in the round of 16 and they were not still able to enter the Quarter-finals in the FIFA World Cup.

2018 World Cup

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Nigeria vs Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
 
Nigeria vs 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 stage matches with a 2–1 win over Zambia in Ndola[18] and defeated Algeria 3–1 in their second match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.[19] They went on to beat Cameroon 5–1 home and away in a back to back contest.[20]

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.[21][22][23] On 3 June 2018, coach Gernot Rohr unveiled a 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[24] Nigeria lost their first match of the tournament 0–2 to Croatia in Kaliningrad,[25] before they won 2–0 in the second match against a brave Iceland,[26] with Ahmed Musa scoring both goals.[27] Nigeria had a huge chance to qualify to the next round as Argentina was demolished 3–0 by Croatia. Despite this advantage, they lost 2–1 in their last group stage match against Argentina,[28] with one goal by Victor Moses.[29] For this defeat, and followed with Iceland's defeat to Croatia, Nigeria missed the opportunity to advance to the round of 16 and got eliminated from the tournament.[30]

2019 Africa Cup of Nations

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The Super Eagles started their campaign at the 2019 AFCON by defeating Burundi 1–0 in group B opening match. They went on to defeat Guinea and lost 2–0 to Madagascar in their final group stage match. The round of 16 saw the national football team of Nigeria defeating Cameroon 3–2 with goals coming from Jude Ighalo and Iwobi, they later went on to confront South Africa in the quarter-finals of the tournament. An 89th-minute header from Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead over South Africa and the match ended 2–1 in favour of Nigeria. Nigeria faced Algeria in the semi-finals and were knocked out of the tournament after a 95th-minute free kick from Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria the lead. The Super Eagles later faced Tunisia in a third place match which they won 1–0 with the only goal coming from Ighalo which made him the top scorer of the tournament.

2021 Africa Cup of Nations

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On 18 July 2019, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the draw for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. The Super Eagles were grouped in group L alongside Lesotho, Benin, and Sierra Leone. Nigeria started out by defeating Benin 2–1 at Uyo in their first group match and later went on to beat Lesotho 4–2 in an away match. In March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAF postponed all AFCON qualifiers indefinitely.[31] Subsequently, on 30 June 2020, CAF rescheduled the 2021 African Cup of Nations to 2022, to take place from 9 January to 6 February 2022.[32] The qualifiers resumed on 9 November 2020.[33][34]

The 2021 AFCON started on 9 January 2022, and Nigeria was the only team in the tournament to win all three group stage matches after defeating Egypt 1–0, Sudan 3–1, and Guinea-Bissau 2–0.[35] However, Nigeria lost 1–0 in the round of 16 to Tunisia on 23 January.[36]

2022 World Cup

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Nigeria failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, losing to Ghana on the away goals rule after drawing 0–0 in Ghana and 1–1 in Nigeria.[37][38]

2023 Africa Cup of Nations

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The Super Eagles started their campaign at the 2023 AFCON by drawing 1–1 to Equatorial Guinea in their opening group A match. They went on to defeat hosts Ivory Coast 1–0 and defeated Guinea Bissau in the same scoreline. The round of 16 saw the national football team of Nigeria defeating Cameroon 2–0 with a brace from Ademola Lookman, they later went on to defeat Angola in the quarter-finals of the tournament thanks to a first half strike from Lookman. Nigeria faced South Africa in the semi-finals. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored to give Nigeria a 4–2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa. The match finished 1–1 after extra time. In the final, Super Eagles finished as runners-up, losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast.[39]

Team image

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Argentina versus Nigeria in a friendly match on 14 November 2017

Kits and crest

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nigeria national football team kits.

The Nigeria national team has traditionally used a mostly-solid green on green primary set with white numbering, lettering, and highlights; coupled with all-white reversed secondary kits, all emblematic of the colours of the Nigerian flag. The shade of green has varied over the years. An olive drab-tinged, forest green was frequently favoured during the 1980s to the early 1990s, and jade has appeared in each of those decades as well; even harlequin has been used. Over the last decade, the team has appeared to settle on the more standard office green which most closely resembles the shade used on the flag. Nigeria's first national teams used a solid scarlet top over white shorts and socks until the country adopted its current colours after its independence.[40]

On 23 April 2015, Nike was announced to be the supplier of Nigeria's kits after Adidas ended their kit contract with the NFF.[41][42] Before that, Nike supplied Nigeria's kit between 1994 and 2003.[43]

Kit suppliers

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Kit supplier Period Notes
  Erima 1980–1984[44]
  Admiral 1984–1987[44]
  Adidas 1988–1994[44]
  Nike 1994–2003[43]
  Adidas 2004–2014[45]
  Nike 2015–present[46]

Kit deals

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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)[47] Total $3.75m / 743m Naira[48]
2018-11-20
 1 November 2018 – December 2026 (8 years) Undisclosed[49] 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 undergone much evolution throughout its history. Prior to independence, they were called the Red Devils due to their red topped kits.[50] The name was changed to the Green Eagles after independence in reference to the Nigerian state flag as 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 still called the Green Eagles, but at a reception after the tournament, the team's name was officially changed to the "Super Eagles".[51][52] Today, only the senior men's national team uses the nickname. The women's national team is called the "Super Falcons", and Nigeria's underage male teams are nicknamed the "Flying Eagles" & the "Golden Eaglets".

Media coverage

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The Nigerian football federation currently has an active deal with the parent company of AIT and Ray Power Radio.[53] Internationally, Nigeria's qualifiers and African Cup matches are regularly broadcast abroad by the multi-platform international sports network, beIN Sports and South African broadcaster SuperSport.[54] Nigeria's international friendlies are regularly scheduled in the UK through independent organisers are marketed to the country's large population of Nigerian expatriates.

Supporters

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Nigerian football supporters at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

Though the club is most notable at Nigeria's home matches wearing green-themed embroidered outfits specific to the club along with wigs, hats and large sunglasses while dancing, singing, playing drums and trumpets, as well as carrying pom poms, culturally significant objects, inflatable beachballs, and waving flags; they have also shown a presence travelling abroad to support Nigeria in away matches.[55][56] However, the club's efforts at improving the atmosphere at Nigeria's home and away matches are beset by funding issues, corruption and infighting.[57] The club's current head, Rafiu Ladipo, has drawn criticism from its membership and is under pressure to defer the leadership to one of his deputies.[58]

A regular sight at Nigerian home matches is also their brass and percussion band, whose rendition of well-known Highlife songs provides Nigerian home matches with a unique feel. In Nigeria, these performers are occasionally conspicuous with their military uniforms or they may be members of the Football Supporters Club.[59] A popular chant among supporters from all over the country, after a goal scored, is "Oshe Baba!", which means "Thank you father!" in Yoruba.

Rivalries

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Ghana

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Main article: Jollof derby

Many important matches have been played against various nations who have been occasional rivals. Of these nations, Ghana is widely considered Nigeria's primary rival as the two sides have met one another more than any other opponent, as well as being two of the most successful national teams in Africa. Nigeria has enjoyed periods of success. The most notable of these periods are the early contests during the 1950s, and matches that took place in the early 2000s.

 
Ghana vs. Nigeria in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-Final

FIFA lists the first official match 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.[60] 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 modern-day nation of Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. Nigeria, prior to adopting the national colours of green and white, wore scarlet tops over white shorts and were known as the "Red Devils".[40] The two sides played for several rivalry and tournament cups during this period in which full international competition was barred to them. The encounter between these two teams is commonly known as the Jollof Derby.[61]

Cameroon

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Nigeria's neighbours to the east, Cameroon, have also played Nigeria a number of times over the years. The teams have met three times in the final of the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon winning each time.[62] Both carry histories of continental success and World Cup representation that is nearly unrivaled on the African continent.

Their rivalry began in 1960 and since then, Nigeria has proved to be a more dominating team, but in all three AFCON Final matches in 1984, 1988 and 2000, Cameroon prevailed over Nigeria.

Nigeria has qualified for six FIFA World Cup finals, advancing from the group stage three times (1994, 1998 and 2014), getting knocked out in the round of 16 all three times, while Cameroon has qualified eight times, advancing from the group stage only once (1990) though they made it to the quarter-finals in that edition.

Other African nations

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There is also a number of competitive matches with Algeria dating back to the 1970s. The two sides met twice in the African Cup of Nations finals, with each nation splitting the win totals. It was a 1–1 draw in Algeria on 8 October 1993 that enabled Nigeria to claim its first World Cup berth in the 1994 edition of the tournament. Nigeria since then had an undefeated streak against Algeria, until the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when Algeria prevailed over Nigeria.

Nigeria's western neighbour, Benin, has played competitive matches with the team since the period of European colonisation 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 regarded opponent.

Argentina

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Nigeria starting eleven versus Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

In five of its first six World Cup appearances, Nigeria was drawn in the group stage with three-time champion Argentina and is regarded by many fans as having fairly acquitted themselves against the footballing giant.[63] The fixture is the most common in the competition's history involving an African nation.[64] 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 first meeting, during which they held a lead for some minutes of the match. This was followed by a Confederations Cup match in 1995 which saw Nigeria hold the South Americans to a 0–0 draw. Below full international level, their Olympic teams also faced off in the gold medal match in 1996 (3–2 to Nigeria), and 2008 (1–0 to Argentina). The final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was also 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 senior team in the 2014[65] and 2018[66] World Cup fixtures.

The match-up holds some importance to many Nigerian football fans who regard the challenge as an important measuring stick for the development of Nigerian football. Argentine fans for their part, typically do not regard Nigeria as a rival. Although it means less to Argentine fans, matches against Nigeria are always seen as needing to be played with caution.[67][68][69][70]

Home stadium

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Abuja home stadium

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium (formerly known as National Stadium, Abuja) serves as the official home stadium of the Super Eagles. Several international matches are played in other stadiums across the country. 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 match venues

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Stadium Capacity Commissioned City State/Territory Ref
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium 30,000 2012 Uyo Akwa Ibom [71][72]
Stephen Keshi Stadium 22,000 2018 Asaba Delta
Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium 38,000 2015 Port Harcourt Rivers [73]
Moshood Abiola National Stadium 60,491 2000 Abuja FCT
Lagos National Stadium 45,000 1972 Surulere Lagos
U. J. Esuene Stadium 16,000 1977 Calabar Cross River
Teslim Balogun Stadium 24,325 1984 Surulere Lagos
Obafemi Awolowo Stadium 25,000 1960 Ibadan Oyo
Sani Abacha Stadium 16,000 1998 Kano Kano
Ahmadu Bello Stadium 16,000 1965 Kaduna Kaduna
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium 22,000 1986 Enugu Enugu
Liberation Stadium 16,000 Port Harcourt Rivers

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Nigeria national football team records and statistics
Further information: Nigeria national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of football match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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16 November 2026 World Cup qualification Nigeria   1–1   Lesotho Uyo
17:00 UTC+1 Ajayi   67' Report Mkwanazi   56' Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)
19 November 2026 World Cup qualification Zimbabwe   1–1   Nigeria Butare
15:00 UTC+2 Musona   26' Report Ịheanachọ   67' Stadium: Stade Huye
Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti)

2024

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8 January Friendly Guinea   2–0   Nigeria Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
16:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: Baniyas Stadium
14 January 2023 AFCON GS Nigeria   1–1   Equatorial Guinea Abidjan, Ivory Coast
14:00 Osimhen   38' Report Salvador   36' Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 8,500
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
18 January 2023 AFCON GS Ivory Coast   0–1   Nigeria Abidjan, Ivory Coast
17:00 Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 49,517
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
22 January 2023 AFCON GS Guinea-Bissau   0–1   Nigeria Abidjan, Ivory Coast
17:00 Report
Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 15,650
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
27 January 2023 AFCON R16 Nigeria   2–0   Cameroon Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00
Report Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 22,085
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
2 February 2023 AFCON QF Nigeria   1–0   Angola Abidjan, Ivory Coast
17:00
Report Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 18,757
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
7 February 2023 AFCON SF Nigeria   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		   South Africa Bouaké, Ivory Coast
17:00
Report
Stadium: Stade de la Paix
Attendance: 31,227[74]
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
Penalties
11 February 2023 AFCON F Nigeria   1–2   Ivory Coast Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 57,094
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
22 March Friendly Nigeria   2–1   Ghana Marrakech, Morocco
15:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Rédouane Jiyed (Morocco)
26 March Friendly Nigeria   0–2   Mali Marrakech, Morocco
19:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
7 June 2026 World Cup qualification Nigeria   1–1   South Africa Uyo, Nigeria
20:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification Benin   2–1   Nigeria Abidjan, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
7 September 2025 AFCON qualification Nigeria   3–0   Benin Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Referee: Alamin Alhadi Mohamed (Sudan)
10 September 2025 AFCON qualification Rwanda   0–0   Nigeria Kigali, Rwanda
17:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
Referee: Karim Sabry (Morocco)
11 October 2025 AFCON qualification Nigeria   1–0   Libya Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: [[Godswill Akpabio International Stadium]]
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
15 October 2025 AFCON qualification Libya   0–3
Awarded[ii]		   Nigeria Benghazi, Libya
21:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Referee: Lenine Rocha (Cape Verde)
Note: The Libya v Nigeria match, originally scheduled for 15 October 2024, was cancelled after the Nigerian team was allegedly left stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for more than 12 hours upon arrival, two days before the match.[79] This led the Nigeria Football Federation to refuse to play and send their team back home.[80] CAF later confirmed that the match would not take place and stated that a decision regarding its outcome would be made.[81]
10 November 2025 AFCON qualification Benin   v   Nigeria
18 November 2025 AFCON qualification Nigeria   v   Rwanda

Coaching staff

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The current Nigerian (Super Eagles) managerial staff is made up of a technical adviser who serves as the coach in charge of full international matches and a chief coach who serves as the first assistant coach. The second assistant coach is in charge of the home-based team as well as the CHAN tournament and other home based competitions. Other positions also include the technical assistant and the goalkeeper trainer.

Position Name
Technical director   Augustine Eguavoen
Head coach Vacant
Assistant coach   Emmanuel Amunike
Football ambassador   Daniel Amokachi
Sports administrator   Ayodeji Adegbenro
Goalkeeping coach   Abiodun Baruwa
Fitness coach   Kenneth Adeyemi
Video analyst   Afolabi Adebayo
Match analyst   Eboboritse Uwejamomere

Coaching history

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation qualification matches against Libya in October 2024, respectively.[82]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2024, after the match against   Rwanda.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Stanley Nwabili (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 28) 16 0   Chippa United
1GK Maduka Okoye (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 25) 16 0   Udinese
1GK Amas Obasogie (1999-12-27) 27 December 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Bendel Insurance
2DF William Troost-Ekong (captain) (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 31) 73 7   PAOK
2DF Ola Aina (1996-10-08) 8 October 1996 (age 28) 42 0   Nottingham Forest
2DF Semi Ajayi (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 31) 41 1   West Bromwich Albion
2DF Calvin Bassey (1999-12-31) 31 December 1999 (age 24) 27 0   Fulham
2DF Bright Osayi-Samuel (1997-12-31) 31 December 1997 (age 26) 18 0   Fenerbahçe
2DF Bruno Onyemaechi (1999-04-03) 3 April 1999 (age 25) 8 0   Boavista
2DF Benjamin Tanimu (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002 (age 22) 3 0   Crawley Town
3MF Alex Iwobi (1996-05-03) 3 May 1996 (age 28) 81 10   Fulham
3MF Moses Simon (1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 (age 29) 74 9   Nantes
3MF Wilfred Ndidi (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 27) 59 0   Leicester City
3MF Frank Onyeka (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26) 26 1   Augsburg
3MF Raphael Onyedika (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23) 11 1   Club Brugge
3MF Alhassan Yusuf (2000-07-18) 18 July 2000 (age 24) 7 0   New England Revolution
3MF Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (2001-02-06) 6 February 2001 (age 23) 4 1   Lazio
4FW Kelechi Iheanacho (1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 28) 55 15   Sevilla
4FW Samuel Chukwueze (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999 (age 25) 40 5   Milan
4FW Ademola Lookman (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 27) 25 8   Atalanta
4FW Taiwo Awoniyi (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 (age 27) 9 2   Nottingham Forest
4FW Victor Boniface (2000-12-23) 23 December 2000 (age 23) 8 1   Bayer Leverkusen
4FW Chidera Ejuke (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 (age 26) 8 0   Sevilla

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Nigeria squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Olorunleke Ojo (1995-08-17) 17 August 1995 (age 29) 0 0   Al-Merrikh v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
GK Adebayo Adeleye (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 24) 1 0   Hapoel Jerusalem 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Olisa Ndah (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 26) 5 0   Orlando Pirates v.   Rwanda, 10 September 2024
DF Chidozie Awaziem (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 27) 34 1   Cincinnati v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
DF Ismaila Sodiq (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Remo Stars v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
DF Kenneth Omeruo (1993-10-17) 17 October 1993 (age 31) 69 1   Kasımpaşa v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
DF Jamilu Collins (1994-08-05) 5 August 1994 (age 30) 30 0   Cardiff City v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
DF Tyronne Ebuehi (1995-12-16) 16 December 1995 (age 28) 12 0   Empoli v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
DF Gabriel Osho (1998-08-14) 14 August 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Luton Town v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
DF Zaidu Sanusi (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 (age 27) 22 0   Porto 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Kevin Akpoguma (1995-04-19) 19 April 1995 (age 29) 8 0   1899 Hoffenheim 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Jordan Torunarigha (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 27) 1 0   Gent 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Joe Aribo (1996-07-21) 21 July 1996 (age 28) 34 2   Southampton 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Kelechi Nwakali (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Chaves 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Victor Osimhen (1998-12-29) 29 December 1998 (age 25) 37 22   Galatasaray v.   Rwanda, 10 September 2024
FW Paul Onuachu (1994-05-28) 28 May 1994 (age 30) 24 3   Trabzonspor v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
FW Terem Moffi (1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 25) 18 4   Nice v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
FW Nathan Tella (1999-07-05) 5 July 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Bayer Leverkusen v.   Benin, 10 June 2024
FW Umar Sadiq (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) 11 1   Real Sociedad v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
FW Cyriel Dessers (1994-12-08) 8 December 1994 (age 29) 6 2   Rangers v.   Mali, 26 March 2024
FW Ahmed Musa (1992-10-14) 14 October 1992 (age 32) 110 18   Kano Pillars 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Emmanuel Dennis (1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 (age 26) 8 1   İstanbul Başakşehir 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE

INJ The player is not part of the current squad due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad/standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

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As of 11 October 2024[83]
Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Players in bold are still active with Nigeria.

Most appearances

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Ahmed Musa is Nigeria's most capped player with 109 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Ahmed Musa[a] 109 16 2010–present
2 Vincent Enyeama 101 0 2002–2015
Joseph Yobo 101 7 2001–2014
4 Mikel John Obi 91 6 2005–2019
5 Nwankwo Kanu 86 12 1994–2011
Mudashiru Lawal 86 11 1975–1985
7 Alex Iwobi[b] 81 10 2015–present
8 Jay-Jay Okocha 73 14 1993–2006
William Troost-Ekong[b] 73 7 2015–present
10 Moses Simon 72 9 2015–present

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Rashidi Yekini 37 62 0.6 1983–1998
2 Segun Odegbami 23 47 0.47 1976–1981
3 Victor Osimhen[b] 22 36 0.61 2017–present
4 Yakubu Aigyegbeni 21 58 0.36 2000–2012
5 Ikechukwu Uche 19 46 0.41 2007–2014
6 Obafemi Martins 18 42 0.43 2004–2015
7 Samson Siasia 17 49 0.35 1984–1998
8 Odion Ighalo 16 37 0.43 2015–present
Ahmed Musa[a] 16 109 0.15 2010–present
10 Asuquo Ekpe 14 28 0.5 1956–1966
Julius Aghahowa 14 32 0.44 2000–2007
Kelechi Iheanacho[c] 14 54 0.26 2015–present
Jay-Jay Okocha 14 73 0.19 1993–2006
  1. ^ a b Musa also appeared in one game against Togo in 2017, scoring two goals, however Nigeria made 9 substitutions during this match, therefore it is not recognised as an official match by FIFA.
  2. ^ a b c Also appeared in one game against Togo in 2017, however Nigeria made 9 substitutions during this match, therefore it is not recognised as an official match by FIFA.
  3. ^ Iheanacho also appeared in one game against Togo in 2017, scoring one goal, however Nigeria made 9 substitutions during this match, therefore it is not recognised as an official match by FIFA.

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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Main article: Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA Total
  1930 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
1934 to 1958 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1962 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 6 1962
  1966 Withdrew[n 1][84] Withdrew
  1970 Did not qualify 8 3 4 1 15 12 1970
  1974 4 1 2 1 3 4 1974
  1978 8 3 3 2 17 8 1978
  1982 8 3 2 3 8 8 1982
  1986 6 5 0 1 11 3 1986
  1990 6 3 1 2 7 5 1990
  1994 Round of 16 9th 4 2 0 2 7 4 Squad 8 5 2 1 17 5 1994
  1998 12th 4 2 0 2 6 9 Squad 6 4 1 1 10 4 1998
    2002 Group stage 27th 3 0 1 2 1 3 Squad 10 6 2 2 19 3 2002
  2006 Did not qualify 10 6 3 1 21 7 2006
  2010 Group stage 27th 3 0 1 2 3 5 Squad 12 9 3 0 20 5 2010
  2014 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 3 5 Squad 8 5 3 0 11 4 2014
  2018 Group stage 21st 3 1 0 2 3 4 Squad 8 5 2 1 13 6 2018
  2022 Did not qualify 8 4 3 1 10 4 2022
      2026 To be determined 4 0 3 1 4 5 2026
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total Round of 16 6/16 21 6 3 12 23 30 — 116 62 35 19 189 89 –
Notes
  1. ^ All African nations withdrew due to a lack of qualifying berths.

Africa Cup of Nations

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Main article: Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D* L GF GA
  1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1959
  1962 Withdrew 4 1 2 1 4 5
  1963 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 3 10 Squad 2 0 1 1 2 3
  1965 Withdrew Withdrew
  1968 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 5
  1970 Withdrew Withdrew
  1972 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
  1974 4 2 1 1 7 9
  1976 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 11 10 Squad 2 2 0 0 3 1
  1978 Third place 3rd 5 2 2 1 8 5 Squad 4 2 1 1 7 4
  1980 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 8 1 Squad Qualified as hosts
  1982 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad Qualified as holders
  1984 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 7 8 Squad 4 1 2 1 2 1
  1986 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
  1988 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 5 3 Squad 4 2 1 1 6 3
  1990 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 0 2 5 6 Squad 4 2 2 0 8 2
  1992 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 8 5 Squad 8 4 3 1 15 3
  1994 Champions 1st 5 3 2 0 9 3 Squad 6 3 2 1 12 1
  1996 Withdrew Qualified as holders
  1998 Banned Banned
    2000 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 2 0 12 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
  2002 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 5 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 9 1
  2004 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 11 5 Squad 4 2 2 0 7 3
  2006 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 7 3 Squad 10 6 3 1 21 7
  2008 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 3 3 Squad 6 5 0 1 10 3
  2010 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 6 4 Squad 12 9 3 0 20 5
    2012 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 12 5
  2013 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 11 4 Squad 4 2 2 0 10 3
  2015 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 7
  2017 4 1 2 1 2 2
  2019 Third place 3rd 7 5 0 2 9 7 Squad 6 4 1 1 14 6
  2021 Round of 16 9th 4 3 0 1 6 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 14 7
  2023 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 2 1 8 4 Squad 6 5 0 1 22 4
  2025 To be determined To be determined
      2027
  2029
Total 3 Titles 20/34 104 57 24 23 146 95 — 126 67 39 20 221 93
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via a penalty shoot-out.
**Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.

African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
  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
Total Runners-up 3/7 15 8 4 3 24 17

WAFU Nations Cup

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WAFU Nations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  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 Quarter-finals
Total 1 Title 3/4 13 7 0 0 32 9

FIFA Confederations Cup

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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 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 7 6 Squad
  2017 Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 2/10 6 2 2 2 11 7 -

Honours

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Summary

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Senior Competition       Total
CAF African Cup of Nations 3 5 8 16
CAF African Nations Championship 0 1 1 2
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations 1 0 0 1
Total 4 6 9 19
  1. Competition organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, officially not recognized by FIFA.

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Hausa: Ƙungiyar ƙwallon ƙafar Najeriya, Igbo: Otu egwuregwu bọọlụ Naịjirịa na, Yoruba: Ẹgbẹ́ agbábọ́ọ̀lù-ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ ọmọorílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà
  2. ^ The Libya v Nigeria match, originally scheduled for 15 October 2024, was cancelled after the Nigerian team was allegedly left stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for more than 12 hours upon arrival, two days before the match.[75] This led the Nigeria Football Federation to refuse to play and send their team back home.[76] CAF later confirmed that the match would not take place and stated that a decision regarding its outcome would be made.[77] On 26 October, CAF announced that Nigeria were awarded a 3–0 walkover win, and applied fines against Libya.[78]

Citations

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  86. ^ Ethiopia International Tournament (1992) Archived 16 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
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