When Nigeria's national soccer team competes in the qualifications and finals for the World Cup, it brings home some of Europe's top players, including those from England's Premier League. Nwankwo Kanu, best known for playing at London's Arsenal club, as well as Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Yobo of Everton, represent the Super Eagles. As of January 2011, Nigeria ranks 32nd in the world, between Turkey and Sweden.
Origins
Baron Mulford, a Briton, began organizing weekly matches between Nigerian youths and expatriate Europeans in Lagos circa 1906. In 1945, the country formed a Nigerian Football Association, and in 1959, the association joined the Confederation of African Football and the world governing body, FIFA. In tandem with Nigeria's independence from the Britain a year later, Godfrey Amachree became the first Nigerian chairman of the NFA.
African Cups
In 1963, Nigeria arrived for the first time on the stage of the African Cup of Nations, but floundered against Sudan 4-0 and Egypt 6-3. The team won the African Cups of Nations when it was played on home soil in 1980, and in 1994 in Tunisia.
1994 World Cup
In the Super Eagles' first World Cup game, in 1994, they surprised eventual semi-finalists Bulgaria 3-0, whipped Greece 2-0 and lost to Argentina 2-1, finishing on top of their group. They continued to the second round to meet Italy in the second round at Foxboro Stadium outside Boston. Despite their confidence and poise and polished work by Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh in central midfield, Nigeria's men fell to Italy 2-1 in the second round. FIFA named the Super Eagles the second most entertaining team in the cup after Brazil.
The talented team that went far in 1994 took its momentum in the 1996 Olympics soccer competition, winning the gold medal in Atlanta, considered the team's finest moment by FIFA.com. Kanu, the two-time African Player of the Year, led the Olympic gold team. Nigeria played in the Olympics in 1968, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2008.
Later World Cups
Nigeria returned to the World Cup in 1998, 2002 and 2010. In 1998, Nigeria shocked Spain 3-2 and beat Bulgaria 1-0 but fell to Denmark 4-1 in the second round. In 2002, the Super Eagles failed to advance after losing to Argentina 1-0 and Sweden 2-1 and tying England.
Suspension
In 2010, favored Nigeria playing in the first World Cup on African soil stumbled, losing to Argentina 1-0 and Greece 2-1 and tying Korea 1-1, finishing last in Group B. One of the most favored African teams before the cup, "the powerful Nigerians paid a heavy price for their wayward finishing in clear goal-scoring situations," FIFA.com noted in an analysis of Group B. Agile goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was a bright spot for the Super Eagles. In October 2010, FIFA suspended Nigeria from international matches for political interference after President Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national team from competition in the wake of its anemic World Cup showing.
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