Counting down the days until the the football season restarts with La Liga on 12 June, but until then you can ReLive Africa’s best football memories with Nigeria.
Nigeria burst onto the global football scene in style in the nineties with an impressive performance at the 1994 World Cup in the USA which saw them finish top of their group in their first ever official football tournament.
There have been two undeniable peaks in the history of Nigerian football, two moments which have garnished the reputation of fear when you face the Super Eagles. Those moments are undoubtably the 1994 World Cup and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Viewers on DSTV and GOtv can relive those moments on SuperSport on Saturday 6 June with Joseph Dosu, Jay-Jay Okocha and Victor Ikpeda commenting live on the 1996 Olympics from 5:30pm on SuperSport 1, SuperSport 9 and SuperSport Select 1 . The Pioneers of Nigerian football will then be coming to you live as Peter Rufai, Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke relive the 1994 World Cup from 6:30pm on SuperSport 1, SuperSport 9 and SuperSport Select 1.
In the 1994 World Cup the Super Eagles topped Group D with six points after two wins and one loss to Argentina who at the time were arguably the best footballing nation in the world. Nigeria, thought, started out the World Cup in spectacular fashion with an impressive 3-0 win over Bulgaria which shocked the world, thanks to goals from Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Owefin Amokachi and Emmanuel Amunike.
Speaking after the tournament, Amokachi explained why the team was so successful. “It all started from 1989 when we failed to reach Italia 90 and the coach made it clear that he will make us the first to play at the World Cup. We had a blend of experience and fearless young players as well as a manager who had the power of motivation and the ability to bring the best out of his players,” said Amokachi.
It was only two years later when the Super Eagles were crowned the 1996 Olympic champions in Atlanta, USA after beating Argentina 3-2 in the final where Amokachi and Amuneke were front and centre once more.
Speaking after the Olympics, Sunday Oliseh, who was a key player in the Nigerian team, said: “I guarantee you that as I talk to you now, everyone in Africa is celebrating. There is no sleeping tonight. Everyone will be happy. This is for all the African countries.”