Our British colonial masters brought us a lot of good stuff. Stuff such as education, Christianity and corruption, among others. But probably the best thing the Brits brought to us was football. There are no records of when the first official football match was played in Nigeria, but it started in the 1920s. The Nigeria Football Federation’s own records tell us that the organization was formed in 1945. However, there is evidence that the Nigeria Football Association (which later became NFF) was actually formed in 1933. This first meeting held at the Health Office in Broad Street, Lagos, and was open to the football interested public.
As of the 1938/39 football season in England, the NFA had been recognized by the English FA, with F.B Mulford as secretary. In 1942, a cup competition, the War Memorial Challenge, limited only to Lagos based teams was started. One of the first points of duty of the NFA was to inaugurate the Governor’s Cup to replace the War Memorial Challenge. The new competition, encompassed the whole country, and the first winners were Lagos Marine.
By 1948, efforts were underway to form a national team built around players discovered at the Governor’s Cup. Early star players in the national team were Dan Anyiam (Lagos UAC), Peter Anieke and Teslim Balogun (both of Lagos Railway). The team boarded the RMSS Apapa on 16 August 1949 for a playing tour of England and arrived Liverpool 13 days later.
The players who made the trip were:
- Goalkeepers: Sam Ibiam (Port Harcourt), Isaac Akioye (Hercules, Ibadan)
- Defenders: Justin Onwudiwe (Lagos Railway), Olisa Chukwura (Abeokuta), ATB Ottun (Lagos Marines), Isiaku Shittu (Lagos UAC), John Dankaro (Jos), Hope Lawson (Lagos Marine), Dan Anyiam (Lagos UAC), Okoronkwo Kanu (Land & Survey)
- Forwards: Mesembe Otu (Lagos Marine), Peter Anieke (Lagos Railway), Sokari Dokubo (Lagos Railway), Godwin Anosike (Lagos Railway), Tesilimi Balogun (Lagos Railway), Titus Okere (Lagos Railway), Etim Henshaw (Lagos Marine) and Edet Ben (Lagos Marine)
Etim Henshaw was the team captain, making him our first ever national team captain. Nigeria’s first ever official game was against Marine Cosby, which we won 5-2.
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During the next game, against an Athenian League XI, the English refused to play if the Tourists didn’t wear boots. The Tourists wore boots and lost, 8-0. The third game, which was generally agreed as the best, was a 2-2 draw with a Corinthians League XI. At the end of the tour of nine games, the team’s record was P9, W2, D2, L5. On the return voyage home, the UK Tourists took on the new name, Red Devils, and stopped in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In 1954, after Tony Enahoro’s motion for independence had been made, the Governor’s Cup was renamed FA Cup. The 1954 edition of the renamed FA Cup was won by Calabar FC who beat Kano Pillars 3-0 in the final. Meanwhile the Red Devils were still active, playing a series of friendlies against Ghana, including a 7-0 loss in 1955.
In 1960, Nigeria played against Egypt in a qualifying game for the Rome 1960 Olympic Games, our first ever competitive international. In that game against Egypt, the Egyptians trashed us, the team was made to wear green rather than the red they used to wear. It was from that moment that the name of the team was changed from Red Devils to Green Eagles. Also in 1960,as independence approached, the FA Cup was renamed the Challenge Cup.
Nigeria first participated in the Nations Cup when Ghana hosted in 1963, but the Green Eagles exited in Round 1. The results of our first AFCON were Egypt 6-3 Nigeria; Sudan 4-0 Nigeria. Okepe, Bassey and Onyia scored for us against Egypt.
In the 1970s a new generation of players developed to national team level from the likes Stationery Stores, Rangers International and Shooting Stars. This development was spurred by our first major triumph. We won the gold medal at 1973’s All Africa Games, which we hosted. The likes of Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami and Haruna Ilerika broke into the national team in the 1970s. This new generation of players qualified us for our second AFCON, which was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.
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We qualified for the AFCON again in 1978, hosted by Ghana, and again got bronze, beating Tunisia 2-0. Finally, our first AFCON title came when we hosted in 1980.
The Nigerian U-20 national team is the most successful U-20 national team in African history. Popularly nicknamed the Flying Eagles, the team boasts an unmatched trophy cabinet that houses seven continental titles, two silver, and three bronze Afcon medals. So, how did Nigeria outperform all others at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations?
The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations was the toughest to win in the early days after its inaugural edition. Home teams deployed several dark, underhand tactics to gain an undue advantage over unsuspecting opponents, making it difficult for any nation to dominate the Afcon. No national u-20 team found it easy to perform consistently at the continent's highest level in those days. None but the Flying Eagles.
Algeria won the maiden edition of the u-20 Afcon in 1979, beating Guinea in the final, with Nigeria finishing third. The Flying Eagles returned to pick a second bronze medal in 1981 as Egypt and Cameroon finished in the first two positions. Nigeria finally lifted her first u-20 Afcon title in 1983 after defeating Ivory Coast 4-3 on aggregate in the final. The team picked up a 2-2 away draw before edging the return leg 2-1 to qualify for the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship.
The Flying Eagles became the first to retain the Afcon title after reaching the final again in 1985, where Tunisia waited. And that team, brewing with the talents of Monday Odiaka, Niyi Adeleye, and Samson Siasia, overpowered the Tunisians and went all the way to finish third at that year's World Youth Championship. A record fourth African title arrived at the 1989 edition as a Mutiu Adepoju-inspired Flying Eagles romped past Mali in the final after a gruelling campaign. And with the likes of Christopher Ohenhen, Nduka Ugbade, and Christopher Nwosu in that team, Nigeria also made it to the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, where only Portugal were the stumbling block.
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Strangely, defending champions, Nigeria did not enter for that tournament and crashed out at the group stage of the next edition. Nigeria, however, opted to host the 1995 U-20 Afcon. Unfortunately, the Flying Eagles only finished third after losing to Cameroon in the semifinals in Kaduna and beating Mali in Ibadan in the third-place decider.
Blessed with the likes of Isaac Promise, Victor Obinna Nsofor, and Taye Taiwo, the Eagles beat all-comers, including Egypt, in the final to claim a fifth U20 Afcon title and a first since 1989. Joined by Mikel Obi afterwards, the Flying Eagles made it to the final of the U-20 World Cup, where they narrowly lost to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.
Following a silver medal finish in 2007 and a bronze medal finish in 2009, Nigeria returned to the podium in 2011 in South Africa. Thanks largely to Uche Nwofor's tournament-high four goals and decent support cast performances from Olarenwaju Kayode, Terry Envoh, and Stanley Okoro, the Flying Eagles claimed a sixth title after beating Cameroon 3-2 in the final. The Flying Eagles have not won the title since, finishing fourth only in 2019 while failing to qualify for the other two editions in-between. The former champions are back at Egypt 2023 under the tutelage of head coach Ladan Bosso with the team charged with picking a World Cup ticket and an eighth Afcon trophy.
The Miracle of Dammam
The legendary encounter between Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and the former Soviet Union at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia, 1989, was one of those unforgettable, almost mythical moments in football history. It took place on March 11, 1989, in Dammam. The Soviet team, known for their tactical prowess and discipline, seemed untouchable as they took a 4-0 lead. For most spectators, especially us Nigerians, hope felt like it had drained from the field.
But then, something miraculous happened: the Flying Eagles clawed back, goal by goal, to equalize in the final minutes of the match. Nigeria went on to win 5-3 in a penalty shootout. Although Nigeria didn’t ultimately win the tournament, that match felt like a pivotal moment, signaling a shift in the global perception of African teams.
Thinking back, this match seemed to resonate with deeper meaning. Just as God had rolled away the reproach of slavery from the Israelites at Gilgal, that victory felt symbolic-a sign that the black race was beginning to lift itself from centuries of oppression. Nigeria had already set a precedent by winning the Under-17 World Cup in 1985, a feat that thrilled Africans worldwide. I remember Wale Ojo remarking on the significance: how remarkable it was for a black nation to win a football World Cup, even if it was at the junior level.
They must channel the Miracle of Damman. If returning to Chile stirs up memories that Nigerians would rather forget, being drawn alongside Saudi Arabia might be a counterweight that brings better memories of this competition for Nigeria.
It was in that country, back in 1989, that the Flying Eagles created one of the most stirring comebacks in football history, what has come to be known as "The Miracle of Dammam". Playing in the quarterfinal against the Soviet Union at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in Dammam, the Nigerians were three goals down at half time and looking out of it.
Within the hour mark that score had gone up to 4-0 and it looked like the Soviets were going to run up the score on the hapless Nigerians. Many Nigerian fans, following the game at home, switched off. Only a hardy few remained to follow the radio commentary. Nigeria looked down and out.
But the Flying Eagles had other plans. Three minutes after that fourth goal, Dimeji Lawal scored what looked to be only a consolation from a well-worked freekick. But then, with 15 minutes to go, it was another freekick that got Nigeria going. Chris Ohenhen ripped in a spectacular effort to bring score to 4-2. Could Nigerians dare to believe? Not yet... Maybe?
Less than 10 minutes after Ohenhen's goal, midfielder Samuel Elijah sneaked in behind the three Soviet defenders on the left channel, found space on the top of the box and let fly. The comeback was well and truly on. The Flying Eagles had momentum and within one minute of that goal, they were level. Slick midfield play found Nduka Ugbade on the right channel, he held off his man and fired a rocket into the roof of the net. Like a movie, it was 4-4!
Back home in Nigeria, the scenes across the country, even with the game still on, were simply incredible. Fans poured into the streets in celebration, TV sets were turned back on, and time seemed to stand still. The score stayed the same after extra time and the game went to penalties, where the Flying Eagles converted all five of their kicks, and the demoralized Soviets only managed to make three of theirs, with Nigeria goalkeeper Emeka Amadi saving Mirjalol Qosimov's kick.
Nigerians went wild, history was made and legends were born. Perhaps the current group might want to draw inspiration from there.
Debut at the World Cup
Fast forward a few years, and the Super Eagles made their World Cup debut at USA ‘94. What a moment it was when Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal in the World Cup finals against Bulgaria, a thunderous strike that he celebrated passionately, gripping the net and shouting with joy. It was an iconic scene, a testament to the journey Nigerian football had taken. That first match, a 3-0 victory, was electric. I stayed up all night with my mother and my cousin, Tunji Aderin, sharing in the thrill of seeing Nigeria compete at such a level.
Then came the Olympics in Atlanta 1996, when Nigeria’s dream team took on Argentina in the final. This came right after we had overcome Brazil in the semi-finals, in a match that’s still talked about to this day. Down by 3-1, Nigeria turned the game around, with Kanu Nwankwo scoring the golden goal in extra time to bring a 4-3 victory. It was a glorious chapter in Nigerian football history, capped by defeating Argentina 3-2 to take the gold. These were the golden days when Nigeria climbed to fifth in the FIFA rankings-our highest position ever.
Back in my school days, my love for Nigerian football was deep, and I would eagerly follow the Shooting Stars of Ibadan. I remember when they brought home the African Cup Winners’ Cup in the seventies, and stars like Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal, Christian Chukwu, and Peter Rufai became household names. Goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala was a towering presence, feared and respected. Then there was the memorable 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia in Moscow in 1980, which signaled that Nigerian football was on the rise, poised for even greater achievements. Yugoslavia went on to win the gold in the football final in Moscow. It was a glimpse of what was to come.
Reflecting on all these memories, I see a broader metaphor at play. Just as the Israelites had been freed from bondage, it feels as though God has been slowly but surely lifting the black race from the shadow of history’s injustices. Progress may seem slow, but there are bright minds, brilliant talents, and creative individuals within the black race. What is needed now is a divine awakening of the mind, and I believe that has already begun. Football, in its way, is part of this transformation, a process God is using to ignite a renewed sense of pride, purpose, and progress.
Seeking the U-20 Holy Grail
Nigeria became the first African country to win a FIFA world title when the Golden Eaglets won the inaugural Under 16 World Cup in 1985. That age group has gone on to win four more world titles, making them the most successful country at that level, with Brazil a close second, one title behind them.
They also became the first African country to win an Olympic gold medal in football when they beat Argentina in the final of the 1996 Games in Atlanta. But despite being one of the top youth countries in the world, the one title that has eluded them at age group level has been this one.
They have come close enough, finishing as runners-up to Portugal 1989 in Saudi Arabia and in 2005 in The Netherlands, where a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina pipped them to the post.
Since then, their best performances have been two quarterfinal appearances, in Canada two years later and at the tournament in Argentina in 2023, where they were denied a place in the semifinal by South Korea after extra time.
The current team have not experienced the same sort of high expectations that teams of the past have carried into this tournament. Although they are expected to advance from a group that includes Norway, Saudi Arabia and Colombia, few back home expect them to do much better than a semifinal place at best.
Flying Eagles at the FIFA U-20 World Cup: A History of Achievements
The Flying Eagles have a rich history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. Here’s a summary of their key achievements:
| Achievement | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Runners-up | 1989 | Saudi Arabia |
| Runners-up | 2005 | Netherlands |
| Quarterfinal Appearance | 2007 | Canada |
| Quarterfinal Appearance | 2023 | Argentina |
Chile: A Traumatic Experience
Nigeria's U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, will return to the site of one of their most traumatic experiences as a team in search of a first ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title. Three and half decades after they subjected expectant fans to soul-crushing tournament performances, crashing out in the group stage after going into the 1987 event as one of the favourites, the Nigerians return to Chile to exorcise those demons.
After a disappointing U20 AFCON, where they lost to South Africa in the semifinals, the seven-time African champions are desperately in need of a spark to rekindle support from their world-weary fans and get them back on onside.
Two pre-tournament friendlies, in Rancagua and Santiago, provide cause for some optimism. They drew 1-1 with Chile in the first and beat Australia 3-1 in the second.
Returning veterans Daniel Bameyi and Daniel Daga, who were both part of the last class, provide experience needed to guide the current crop as they face Norway on September 29, Saudi Arabia on October 2 and Colombia on October 5 in group play.
If the Flying Eagles are hoping to emulate Ghana and become only the second African team to win the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, they could not have picked a worse venue to make that attempt. Chile is the site of Nigeria's most traumatic experience at this tournament.
Two years after stunning the world, and probably even themselves, by winning the first ever FIFA Under 17 World Cup, the core of that team, led by captain Nduka Ugbade, headed to Chile to mount a challenge at the next level.
Joining Ugbade from that world-conquering Golden Eaglets team were goalkeeper Lucky Agbonsevbafe, midfielders Sani Adamu and Victor Igbinoba, along with striker Jonathan Akpoborie. Akpoborie and Igbinoba scored both goals in that historic Eaglets win over Germany. But the abundance of talent did not end there. The team also the electrifying skills of Etim 'Maradona' Esin, arguably one of the most naturally gifted players to have come out of Nigeria.
Not to mention the silky, rangy passing of John Ene Okon, Willy Opara's outstanding shot-stopping, and the emerging midfield genius of Thompson Oliha, who went on to become a Super Eagles stalwart and won the 1994 AFCON.
With all of that talent, it was no surprise that the team travelled to Chile with great fanfare and huge expectations, with fans and media back home crowning them champions even before they had kicked a ball.
It did not take long for those hopes to be brutally extinguished. Clinically exposed by Brazil in their opening game, they were torn apart in a 4-0 demolition. And then, in a game they were expected to canter to an easy win against Canada, a late goal saw the North Americans claim a 2-2 draw. Italy applied the coupe de grace with a 2-0 defeat as the Flying Eagles returned home, tail between their legs and bottom of a group they were expected to contest with Brazil.
Opara, touted as the next great goalkeeper prior to the tournament, saw the sun set on his senior international career after that. Things got so bad even at club level that he left ACB in Lagos to pursue a career with Orlando Pirates in South Africa. The story was the same for the majority of the team. Oliha was the only member of that squad to enjoy a significant senior international career.
It will take a place on the podium for the Flying Eagles to exorcise the ghosts of Chile that haunt many a Nigerian football fan of a certain generation.
Daga, Bayemi to join exclusive club
Nduka Ugbade, Abdul Jaleel Ajagun (2011, 2013), Kayode Olanrewaju (2011, 2013), Edafe Egbedi (2011, 2013) and Wilfred Ndidi (2013, 2015), Moses Simon (2013, 2015) are all veterans of this tournament for the Flying Eagles, but they have something in common that others who have played for the team do not have.
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