Nigeria national football team

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, with 3rd-place finishes in the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations to follow. A very exciting win. In 1980, with players such as Segun Odegbami and Best Ogedegbe, the team, led by Christian Chukwu, won the 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.[3][4]

In 1984,1988 and 2000,[5] 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 then 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.[6]

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

Nigeria hosted the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and also won their first Cup of Nations Title that year in Lagos. Nigeria 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.

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 at 25 minutes. Nigeria were within two minutes of qualifying for the Quarter-finals, but 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 the tournament 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 was shattered after a 1–4 loss to Denmark. This is currently the only World Cup where 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.

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 were 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.[7]

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.[8]

On 14 November 2009, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup after defeating Kenya by 3–2 in Nairobi.[9]

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.[10][11] 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.[12] This suspension put the team at risk of being banned from international football by FIFA for reasons of political interference.[13]

On 5 July 2010, the Nigerian government rescinded its ban of the national football team from FIFA/CAF football competitions,[14] but the sanction of suspension was applied by FIFA some three months after.[15] On 4 October 2010, Nigeria was indefinitely banned from international football due to government interference following the 2010 World Cup.[15] 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.[16]

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 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.

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[17] and defeated Algeria 3–1 in their second match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.[18] They went on to beat Cameroon 5–1 home and away in a back to back contest.[19]

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.[20][21][22] On 3 June 2018, coach Gernot Rohr unveiled a 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[23] Nigeria lost their first match of the tournament 0–2 to Croatia in Kaliningrad,[24] before they won 2–0 in the second match against brave Iceland,[25] with Ahmed Musa scoring both goals.[26] 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,[27] with one goal by Victor Moses.[28] 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.[29]

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 pace match which they won 1–0 with the only goal coming from Ighalo which made him the top scorer of the tournament.

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.[30] 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.[31] The qualifiers resumed on 9 November 2020.[32][33]

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.[34] However, Nigeria lost 1–0 in the round of 16 to Tunisia on 23 January.[35]

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.[36]

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.[37]

On 23 April 2015, Nike was announced to be the supplier of Nigeria's kits after Adidas ended their kit contract with the NFF.[38][39] Before that, Nike supplied Nigeria's kit between 1998 and 2003.

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)[44]	Total $3.75m / 743m Naira[45]
		2018-11-20	1 November 2018 – December 2026 (8 years)	Undisclosed[46]	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.[47] 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".[48][49] 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".

The Nigerian football federation currently has an active deal with the parent company of AIT and Ray Power Radio.[50] 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.[51] Nigeria's international friendlies are regularly scheduled in the UK through independent organisers are marketed to the country's large population of Nigerian expatriates.

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.[52][53] However, the club's efforts at improving the atmosphere at Nigeria's home and away matches are beset by funding issues, corruption and infighting.[54] The club's current head, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has drawn criticism from its membership and is under pressure to defer the leadership to one of his deputies.[55]

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.[56] A popular chant among supporters from all over the country, after a goal scored, is "Oshe Baba!", which means "Thank you father!" in Yoruba.

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. The record is dominated by Ghana although 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.[57] 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".[37] 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.[58]

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.[59] 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 at 1984, 1988 and 2000, Cameroon have all 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 seven times, advancing from the group stage only once (1990) though they made it to the quarter-finals in that edition.

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 to 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.

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 two-time champion Argentina and is regarded by many fans as having fairly acquitted themselves against the footballing giant.[60] The fixture is the most common in the competition's history involving an African nation.[61] 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[62] and 2018[63] 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. Argentinean fans for their part, typically do not regard Nigeria as a rival. Although it means less to Argentinean fans, matches against Nigeria are always seen as needed to be played with caution.[64][65][66][67]

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

• The following players were called up for the friendly match against Algeria.[71][72]
• Match date: 27 Sep 2022
• Caps and goals correct as of: 27 September 2022, after the match against  Algeria

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Maduka Okoye	(1999-08-28) 28 August 1999	17	0	Watford
16	1GK	Adebayo Adeleye	(2000-05-17) 17 May 2000	0	0	Hapoel Jerusalem
23	1GK	Francis Uzoho	(1998-10-28) 28 October 1998	26	0	Omonia
2	2DF	Ola Aina	(1996-10-08) 8 October 1996	29	0	Torino
3	2DF	Zaidu Sanusi	(1997-06-13) 13 June 1997	12	0	Porto
	2DF	Ebube Duru	(1999-07-31) 31 July 1999	0	0	Lobi Stars
6	2DF	Valentine Ozornwafor	(1999-06-01) 1 June 1999	0	0	Sochaux
21	2DF	Calvin Bassey	(1999-12-31) 31 December 1999	7	0	Ajax
22	2DF	Kenneth Omeruo	(1993-10-17) 17 October 1993	59	1	Leganés
	2DF	Chidozie Awaziem	(1997-01-01) 1 January 1997	28	1	Hajduk Split
	2DF	Kevin Akpoguma	(1995-04-19) 19 April 1995	5	0	1899 Hoffenheim
	2DF	William Troost-Ekong	(1993-09-01) 1 September 1993	62	4	Watford
4	3MF	Frank Onyeka	(1998-01-01) 1 January 1998	8	0	Brentford
	3MF	Wilfred Ndidi	(1996-12-16) 16 December 1996	47	0	Leicester City
	3MF	Raphael Onyedika	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001	1	0	Club Brugge
18	3MF	Alex Iwobi	(1996-05-03) 3 May 1996	60	10	Everton
	4FW	Saviour Godwin	(1996-08-22) 22 August 1996	1	0	Casa Pia
14	4FW	Kelechi Iheanacho	(1996-10-03) 3 October 1996	44	12	Leicester City
11	4FW	Chidera Ejuke	(1998-01-02) 2 January 1998	3	0	Hertha Berlin
13	4FW	Ademola Lookman	(1997-10-20) 20 October 1997	5	1	Atalanta
9	4FW	Terem Moffi	(1999-05-25) 25 May 1999	8	3	Lorient
15	4FW	Moses Simon	(1995-07-12) 12 July 1995	54	7	Nantes
19	4FW	Umar Sadiq	(1997-08-12) 12 August 1997	5	1	Real Sociedad
20	4FW	Cyriel Dessers	(1994-12-08) 8 December 1994	4	1	Cremonese

The following players have also been called up to the Nigeria squad within the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Ojo Olorunleke	(1995-08-17) 17 August 1995	0	0	Enyimba	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
GK	Daniel Akpeyi	(1986-08-03) 3 August 1986	18	0	Free agent	v.  Ghana, 29 March 2022
GK	John Noble Barinyima	(1993-06-06) 6 June 1993	0	0	Enyimba	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Ibrahim Buhari	(2001-10-08) 8 October 2001	0	0	Elfsborg	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
DF	Isa Ali	(2001-02-03) 3 February 2001	0	0	Remo Stars	v.  Mexico, 28 May 2022 PRE
DF	Jamilu Collins	(1994-08-05) 5 August 1994	26	0	Cardiff City	v.  Ghana, 25 March 2022 PRE
DF	Tyronne Ebuehi	(1995-12-16) 16 December 1995	10	0	Empoli	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Olisa Ndah	(1998-01-21) 21 January 1998	4	0	Orlando Pirates	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Chiamaka Madu	(1996-07-27) 27 July 1996	1	0	Rivers United	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
MF	Babatunde Bello	(2003-05-11) 11 May 2003	0	0	Akwa United	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
MF	Nosiru Babatunde		0	0	Kwara United	v.  Mexico, 28 May 2022 PRE
MF	Azubuike Okechukwu	(1997-04-19) 19 April 1997	1	0	İstanbul Başakşehir	v.  Mexico, 28 May 2022 PRE
MF	Samson Tijani	(2002-05-17) 17 May 2002	1	0	Red Bull Salzburg	v.  Mexico, 28 May 2022 PRE
MF	Alhassan Yusuf	(2000-07-18) 18 July 2000	0	0	Royal Antwerp	v.  Mexico, 28 May 2022 PRE
MF	Akinkunmi Amoo	(2002-06-07) 7 June 2002	0	0	Copenhagen	v.  Ghana, 29 March 2022
MF	Ogenyi Onazi	(1992-12-25) 25 December 1992	53	1	Casertana	v.  Ghana, 25 March 2022 PRE
MF	Kelechi Nwakali	(1998-06-05) 5 June 1998	4	0	Ponferradina	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Victor Mbaoma	(1996-10-20) 20 October 1996	2	0	Enyimba	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
FW	Ishaq Rafiu	(2000-12-16) 16 December 2000	1	0	Maribor	v.  Ecuador, 2 June 2022
FW	Odion Ighalo	(1989-06-16)16 June 1989 (aged 32)	37	16	Al-Hilal	v.  Ghana, 29 March 2022
FW	Paul Onuachu	(1994-05-28) 28 May 1994	15	3	Genk	v.  Ghana, 25 March 2022 PRE
FW	Peter Olayinka	(1995-11-16) 16 November 1995	5	0	Slavia Prague	v.  Ghana, 25 March 2022 PRE
FW	Taiwo Awoniyi	(1997-08-12) 12 August 1997	4	1	Nottingham Forest	v.  Ghana, 25 March 2022 PRE
FW	Henry Onyekuru	(1997-06-05) 5 June 1997	16	2	Adana Demirspor	2021 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Samuel Kalu	(1997-08-26) 26 August 1997	16	2	Watford	v.  Cape Verde, 16 November 2021
INJ Withdrew because of an injury PRE Preliminary squad

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup 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
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	3	6	1962
1966	Withdrew[n 1][74]									Withdrew
1970	Did not qualify									8	3	2	2	15	12	1970
1974										4	1	2	1	3	4	1974
1978										6	4	1	1	17	6	1978
1982										8	3	3	2	8	8	1982
1986										8	3	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	6	4	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	19	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	11	2	1	11	4	2018
2022	Did not qualify									8	5	2	1	10	4	2022
2026	To be determined									To be determined
Total	Round of 16	6/22	21	6	3	12	23	30	—	110	67	24	18	165	80	–

Notes

Africa Cup of Nations record											Africa Cup of Nations 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	4	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	To be determined										To be determined
2025
Total	3 Titles	19/33	97	53	22	22	137	91	—		120	62	39	19	199	89

*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via a penalty shoot-out.

**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.