The post-independent national team of Nigeria made its debut at the 1963 African Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana. The team did not qualify from its group. The Green Eagles, as the team was then called recorded its first chief accomplishment when it won a gold medal at the second All-Africa Games in 1973. The team also took third position in the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations tournaments. The national team’s biggest exploit and achievement in international football was in 1980 when it conquered Africa in that year’s final of the African Cup of Nations in Lagos.

Eight countries qualified for the championship which was held in two venues in Lagos (Surulere Stadium) and Ibadan (Liberty Stadium). Group A consisted of   Ivory Coast, Egypt, Nigeria (host), and Tanzania while Group B comprised Algeria, Ghana (holder), Guinea, and Morocco.

Sunday, March 22, 1980, remains memorable in the annals of Nigerian football. The national team, Green Eagles (renamed Super Eagles) captained by Christian Chukwu triumphed over Algeria in the final of the African Cup of Nations in Lagos with a 3-0 margin.

Other players selected from the domestic league were:

  1. Segun Odegbami – forward
  2. Adokie Amiesimaka – forward
  3. Felix Owolabi – forward 
  4. Khadiri Ikhana – midfielder 
  5. Emmanuel Okala – goalkeeper
  6. Sylvanus Okpala – defender
  7. Henry Nwosu – Midfielder
  8. Godwin Odiye – defender
  9. Ifeanyi Onyedika – forward
  10. Shefiu Mohammed – forward
  11. Moises Effiong – goalkeeper
  12. Frank Onwachi – midfielder
  13. Best Ogedegbe – goalkeeper
  14. Okey Isima – defender
  15. Muda Lawal – midfielder
  16. Tunde Bamidele – defender
  17. Aloysius Atuegbu – midfielder
  18. Martin Eyo – forward
  19. Charles Bassey – forward
  20. John Orlando – defender 
  21. David Adiele – defender 

Under the guidance of a famous Brazilian coach, Otto Martins Gloria, the Eagles took control of the match with Segun Odegbami scoring a brace. Nigeria’s third goal was scored by Muda Lawal.

EteteOnline Team

View all posts

Add comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!