Nigeria

Association name: Nigeria Football Association Confederation: CAF Founded: 1945 FIFA affiliation: 1959 FIFA ranking: 11 Nickname: Super Eagles Federation president: Alhaji Galadima Manager: Augustin Eguavoen Ground: Surelere Home uniform: All green Away uniform: All white   Current Coaching Staff and Notable Team Officials:   Head Coach: Berti Vogts Team Captain: Nwankwo Kanu   International Records - Players: Most capped player - Mudashiru Lawal (86 caps) Most international goals - Rashidi Yekini (37 goals) The Nigeria National football team, also popular among their fans and people as Super eagles, is the national team of Nigeria . The Nigeria Football Association, which was founded in 1945, manages the Nigeria National football team . Nigeria Football Association received their affiliation to FIFA and CAF in year 1959. National Stadium of Nigeria is Abuja Stadium, placed in Abuja, Nigeria . The Abuja Stadium is a multi-use facility which is currently predominantly used to host football matches. It is the home venue for the Nigerian national football team.   Nigeria considered being the top team of the entire African continent never made it to top ten of FIFA Ranking, the highest position they ever reached on the ranking was 5th in April 1994. Currently they hold the 19 th position in FIFA's latest released rankings.   This African nation commenced their international ride in 1949 when they played their first game, although playing in a small British camp. The team's first major success was a gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa games, with 3rd place finishes in 1976 and 1978's African Cup of Nations to follow. Later in year 1980 the team had such players as Leyton Orient 's John Cheidozie and the Tunji Banjo, and the Christian Chukwu-led Super Eagles won the Cup for the first time in Lagos . It was in the year 1984 and 1988 when Nigeria reached the Cup of Nations final, losing both times to Cameroon . Three of the four 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. Two notable occasions; narrowly losing out on qualification for 1990 World Cup and then the controversial final of the 2000 African Nations Cup where a goal scored by Victor Ikpeba during a penalty shoot out was disallowed by the referee.   First time they managed to reach the World Cup in any Football World Cup was in year 1994. That time the team was managed by Clemens Westerhof who is widely considered to be the best coach to have ever coached Nigeria team. Nigeria topped their group which included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece . In their first game Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3-0, lost to Argentina 2-1, and qualified for the second round after a 2-0 defeat of Greece . In the second round Nigeria played Italy and took the lead with a goal from Amunike at   the 25 minute. Nigeria were within 1 minute of qualifying for the Quarter finals of 1994 World Cup in the game against Italy but Roberto Baggio scored to take the game to extra time. He also scored the eventual winning goal. In year 1998 Nigeria again made to the World Cup to company the other African nations Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa . They were riding high on motivation and zeal to their manager Bora Milutinovc with the return of most 1994 squad members. In the final tournament Nigeria were drawn into group D with Spain, Bulgaria, and 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 win against Bulgaria and loss to Paraguay . Their hopes of surpassing the memorable 1994 performance was shattered after a disappointing loss 4-1 to Denmark . The next World Cup saw Nigeria again getting qualified with great spirits in 2002 at Japan and Korea . With a new squad and distinctive pastel green kits the Super Eagles were expected to build on their strong performances in the 2000 and 2002 African Cup of Nations. Nigeria was drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England . They started their first game against Argentina with a strong defense and kept the first half scoreless. However in the 61st minute Gabriel Batistuta breached the Nigerian defense to put Argentina in the lead 1-0 and win the game. Nigeria 's second game against Sweden saw them take the lead but later lose 2-1. There was little consolation when Nigeria drew 0-0 with England and bowed out in the first round. Unfortunately they didn’t get much favor of luck as they missed out qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup to Angola . Both teams finished level on points in the group but Nigeria even with a greater goal difference missed out due to their inferior head to head record against Angola .   Honours and Achievements   Titles: African Cup of Nations 1980, 1994 Olympic Gold Medal 1996 African Games 1 (1973) Afro-Asian Cup of Nations 1 (1995) World Cups organized: None World Cup appearances: (3) 1994, Lost in 1/8 Finals 1998, Lost in 1/8 Finals 2002, Lost in First Round World Cup absences: (15) 1930, Didn't Enter 1934, Didn't Enter 1938, Didn't Enter 1950, Didn't Enter 1954, Didn't Enter 1958, Didn't Enter 1962, Didn't Qualify 1966, Withdrew 1970, Didn't Qualify 1974, Didn't Qualify 1978, Didn't Qualify 1982, Didn't Qualify 1986, Didn't Qualify 1990, Didn't Qualify 2006, Didn't Qualify   World Cup statistics: Ranking        Champion       World Cups                    PTS       P       W      D        L       GS      GA      Dif 35                -                    trans ">3                                  13        11    4      1       6      14     16      -2     Greatest players: Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Mudashiru Lawal, Stephen Keshi, Samuel Okwaraji, Rashidi Yekini, Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, John Obi Mikel, Jay-Jay Okocha, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Joseph Yobo, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Obafemi Martins, Julius Aghahowa, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amunike, Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Tijjani Babangida