Remembering Nigeria’s AFCON 1994 Super Squad.

This was the first time Nigeria was winning the prestigious silverware away from home.

This was the first time Nigeria was winning the prestigious silverware away from home.

ByTunde Eludini  June 17, 2021 Reading Time: 8 mins read

The Nigeria national football squad at Tunisia 1994 Africa Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) tournament paraded some notable names that made the squad a fearsome proposition and are arguably the best Eagles squad in the nation’s footballing history.

The team came into the 1994 AFCON tournament as one of the three favourites for the title, which they ended up winning.

This was after their first triumph in 1980.

Though hampered by the baggage of emerging as runners-up in I984 and 88, coach Clemence Westerhof was determined to end Nigeria’s long search for her second AFCON title and it was a perfect timing.

FIRS

Grouped alongside Egypt and Gabon in group B, the golden generation approached the competition with caution, but the team began their campaign on a bright note as they dismissed Gabon 3-0 in the opener with two goals coming from the late Rashidi Yekini and Mutiu Adepoju.

Their second game was a goalless draw against Egypt to book a place in the knockout stages.

Zaire were not an easy opponent in the second round but Yekini’s brace took Nigeria into the semi-final to face arch-rivals, Ivory Coast.

In what was a pulsating encounter that swung back and forth, the Eagles triumphed on penalties after the 90 minutes and extra time ended 2-2.

It was one man against the world as Zambia earned the sympathy of the football’s global family after its first team perished on the coast of Gabon during World Cup qualifiers.

The Chipolopolo drew the first blood through Elijah Litana but like a rejected stone turned the corner piece of the building, Emmanuel Amuneke scored twice to ensure Nigeria smiled home with the trophy.

Alloy Agu may have watched from the bench, but he described the tournament as one of the best moments in his career.

He told PREMIUM TIMES that team spirit and hard work were key to Nigeria’s success in Tunisia.

“It was a moment I will never forget as a footballer. Yes, we came into the tournament as favourites, but it took hard work and team spirit to win in Tunisia.

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“We were one happy family, and it was a time when Nigerian players were getting to the peak. It gave us the confidence to embrace our career with much optimism, and that was exactly what happened at the World Cup,” he added.