In their 20th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearance, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, aim to showcase their prowess on the continental stage, solidifying their position as the fourth most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Nigeria have risen to prominence since their debut in 1963, which saw an early exit at the group stage. The turning point came in 1980 when, under the guidance of Brazilian coach Otto Glória, Nigeria clinched their first AFCON trophy, hosting the tournament for the first time.
Despite bowing out as defending champions in 1982, the Super Eagles consistently reached the business end of AFCON in subsequent campaigns. Their second triumph came in 1994, overcoming challenges in Group B and securing victories over Zaire (now Congo), Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, and Zambia in the finals held in Tunisia. The third trophy arrived in 2013 under the management of Stephen Keshie, with wins against Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso post-group stage.
Nigeria have showcased expertise in navigating the first round of AFCON tournaments, suffering group stage elimination only twice—in 1963 and 1982. Their ability to consistently progress beyond the initial stages underscores the team’s resilience and determination.
AFCON 2023 Matches
Sunday, January 14: Nigeria v Equatorial Guinea
Thursday, January 18: Ivory Coast v Nigeria
Monday, January 22: Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria
Players to Watch
Victor Osimhen:
- Prolific striker with a significant role in Napoli’s historic Serie A triumph.
- Essential player for the Super Eagles with 20 goals in 27 appearances.
Kelechi Iheanacho:
- Key member of Leicester City, contributing to FA Cup and FA Community Shield victories.
- 27-year-old forward with 13 goals in 47 national team appearances.
Victor Boniface:
- Impressive striker for Bayer Leverkusen with 21 goal contributions in 21 appearances.
- A formidable force for Nigeria’s attack in his first major tournament with the Super Eagles.
Coach – José Peseiro
Embarking on his coaching career with Nacional in the third tier of Portugal, Peseiro has risen to become an experienced manager in top-flight football. His coaching career includes notable stints with Sporting CP, Braga, FC Porto, and guiding Egyptian giants Al Ahly to victory in the 2015/16 season of the Egyptian Premier League.
Given the disappointment of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Peseiro is determined to leave his mark as they prepare for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast next year.
Team Statistics:
Appearances so far: 19
Best Results: Champions in 1980, 1994, and 2013
Worst performance: Group stage in 1963 and 1982
Most capped player: Ahmed Musa with 108 appearances
Captain: Ahmed Musa
Top scorer: Rashid Yekini with 37 goals in 62 appearances
The AFCON tournament will start on January 13, 2024 and conclude on February 11.