Nigeria National Football Team
Overview
The Nigeria national football team, known as the Super Eagles, has a rich and storied history that dates back to the early 20th century. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Super Eagles have cemented their place as one of the most successful national teams in African football, winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on three occasions – in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Nigeria’s football journey began in the 1930s when they played their first unofficial matches as a British colony. However, it was not until 1949 that the team played its first official international game. In the decades that followed, the Super Eagles gradually established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage, with a string of impressive performances and tournament victories.
The team’s nickname, the “Super Eagles,” was adopted in the late 1980s, replacing the previous moniker, the “Green Eagles.” This change reflected the team’s growing stature and the nation’s desire to project a more dynamic and powerful image on the international stage. The women’s national team, on the other hand, is known as the “Super Falcons,” while the youth teams go by the monikers “Flying Eagles” and “Golden Eaglets.”
National Team
The Nigeria national football team has a rich pool of talent to draw from, with players plying their trade in the domestic league as well as across Europe’s top divisions. The current squad features a mix of experienced veterans and promising young stars, all united in their pursuit of glory for the nation.
Squad
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regularly calls up a diverse group of players to represent the Super Eagles. The most recent squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Libya included a blend of established stars and up-and-coming talents:
| Player | Position | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilfred Ndidi | Midfielder | 62 | 2 |
| Victor Osimhen | Forward | 34 | 16 |
| Kelechi Iheanacho | Forward | 41 | 12 |
| Simon Moses | Midfielder | 47 | 6 |
| Leon Balogun | Defender | 37 | 1 |
Coaching Staff
The current Nigeria national team coaching staff is led by a technical adviser who serves as the head coach for full international matches. The team also has a chief coach who acts as the first assistant, and a second assistant coach who is in charge of the home-based squad and the CHAN tournament.
Stadiums
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja serves as the official home ground for the Super Eagles, although the team has also played important matches at other venues across the country, such as the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
International Tournaments
The Nigeria national team has established itself as a consistent performer on the global and continental stages, with a particular emphasis on the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
FIFA World Cup
Nigeria has qualified for six of the last eight FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions. The team’s best performance in the tournament came in 1994, when they reached the round of 16 before narrowly losing to Italy. The Super Eagles have also made it to the second round in 1998 and 2014, but are yet to progress beyond the round of 16.
Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria’s crowning achievements on the continental stage have come at the Africa Cup of Nations. The team has won the tournament three times – in 1980, 1994, and 2013 – and has been runners-up on a further five occasions (1984, 1988, 2000, 2015, 2019). The Super Eagles’ dominance has earned them the nickname “the Kings of African Football.”
Olympic Games
Nigeria has also found success at the Olympic Games, winning the men’s football event in 1996 and finishing as runners-up in 2008. The country’s Olympic teams, known as the “Dream Team” and the “Eaglets,” have produced some of the nation’s most iconic footballing moments, including victories over powerhouses such as Argentina and Brazil.
Rivals and Competitions
Nigeria’s football landscape is characterized by intense rivalries and fierce regional competitions, both on the domestic and international fronts.
Neighboring Countries
The Super Eagles’ primary rival is Ghana, with the two West African nations engaging in a long-standing and highly competitive “Jollof Derby.” The two teams have faced each other more times than any other opponent, with Nigeria enjoying a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record. The rivalry is fueled by the proximity of the two countries, as well as their shared history and ongoing diplomatic and cultural competition.
Nigeria has also had a number of memorable encounters with Cameroon, another African powerhouse. The two teams have met three times in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Cameroon prevailing on each occasion. The rivalry between these two continental giants has produced some of the most thrilling and closely contested matches in African football history.
Regional Tournaments
On the regional stage, Nigeria has been a dominant force in the West African Football Union (WAFU) Nations Cup and the SCSA Zone III West African Nations Cup. These tournaments pit the top teams from the region against each other, providing the Super Eagles with valuable experience and opportunities to assert their regional supremacy.
Global Football Competitions
At the global level, Nigeria’s most notable rivalry has been with Argentina. The two teams have faced each other five times in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, with Argentina emerging victorious on each occasion. However, the matches have always been closely contested, with Nigeria coming close to securing historic victories on multiple occasions. The rivalry holds particular significance for Nigerian fans, who view these encounters as a barometer for the development of their national team.
Despite the disappointments against Argentina, the Super Eagles have acquitted themselves well on the global stage, qualifying for six of the last eight World Cups and establishing themselves as one of the most consistent African representatives in the tournament. The team’s ability to compete against the world’s best has earned them the respect and admiration of football fans across the continent and beyond.
Nigeria’s football landscape is a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and fierce rivalries. The Super Eagles’ unwavering pursuit of success, both at the continental and global levels, has made them a source of immense pride and inspiration for the nation’s passionate football fans. As the team continues to evolve and rise to new challenges, the future of Nigerian football looks bright, with the potential to cement the country’s status as a true powerhouse of the game.
