Silver Jubilee Anniversary: Super Eagles’ 94 squad to be celebrated
Siasia thumbs up initiative
There are plans in the offing to mark the silver jubilee anniversary of the 1994 Super Eagles squad tutored by Dutchman Clement Westerhof.
At the media parley to unveil plans for the 25th anniversary of the team’s feat, the initiator – Tony Nnacheta said there has not been any team globally recognised like the 1994 Super Eagles squad.
“The Super Eagles class of 1994 is the most enduring Nigerian brand since independence, first Nigerian team to qualify for finals of FIFA World Cup, first Nigerian team to win African Nations Cup away from home and first African team to be rated 5th in FIFA world ranking,” he said.
He added: “’The Class of ’94’ details and describes the historic coming of age of Nigeria Football, starting from Maroc ‘89 and encompassing the African Nations Cup Algeria ’90, Senegal ’92, climaxing in the golden years of the Eagles with brilliant achievements in Tunisia 94, World Cup USA 94 and led to the Olympics ‘96 Football gold in Atlanta.”
The former Nigeria Football Association said: “These triumphs brought joy and rare unity to the entire nation. It instilled a sense of pride among all Nigerians from all walks of life and to the Black Diaspora worldwide.”
On why the celebration is unique, Nnacheta said: “it aims at celebrating the most triumphal moments in the annals of Nigeria football till date; twenty fifth anniversary of yet unequalled excellence; twenty five years of proof that Nigeria can get to the heights with the resources we have.”
Staging the celebration to Nnacheta was meant to inspire the younger generation. “We want to provide a reunion for members of the World Cup ’94 squad; to meet with the squads of 2018 and serve as motivation to this fresh generation of aspiring sportspeople and to afford the young generation of Nigerians and footballers to behold their heroes and enable a grateful nation renew itself with opportunity to rally for the future.”
To mark the event, Nnacheta said a glossy 140-page coffee table book would be launched during the occasion scheduled for January 4 to 6, 2019 at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.
Also, majority of the team within and outside the country would be present to grace the event while top footballers in Africa and Europe will also be part of the colourful event.
For Samson Siasia, the idea is a welcome development as this would pint the way forward for others to follow. “I must commend Mr. Nnacheta for this initiative, which is not really common in this our clime and I believe some of my teammates will be present to grace the event. I also hope this will inspire future generation that their efforts would be recognised for their meritorious service to the country,” Siasia said.