The Nigerian Super Eagles are consistently regarded as one of the best African teams in terms of FIFA world rankings. For decades, the Super Eagles have been providing us with thrilling victories and unforgettable goals.
Along with some of these victories have been some equally stunning goals. Players like Rashid Yekini and Nwankwo Kanu have etched their footprints into Nigerian entertainment by their stunning displays. Though there isn’t consensus on the best Nigerian goals of all time, this article will aim to aggregate what we think are some of the best displays of showmanship in Super Eagles history.
The Top 9 Super Eagles Goals
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In the meantime, let’s proceed with our top 9.
Alex Iwobi silences Argentina with a nutmeg and a hammer (2017)
This particular friendly game was in a sense a David versus Goliath type of battle. Although Nigeria were no pushovers, Argentina were the clear favorites to win. Coming in from behind when Argentina were already two goals up at first half before Kelechi Iheanacho and Iwobi leveled the game seven minutes into the second half.
With the score at 3-2, Alex Iwobi delivered the dagger, converting a pass from Ahmed Musa. Iwobi sent Argentine legend Javier Mascherano tumbling with a cheeky nutmeg before unleashing a hammer left-footed that sealed a phenomenal 4-2 win.
Ahmed Musa’s stunner against Iceland (2018 World Cup):
Nigerians were elated after Ahmed Musa scored goals against world cup novices, Iceland, after a disappointing loss to Croatia. This loss to Croatia meant that Nigeria faced elimination should they lose to Iceland.
Musa stepped up in the second half, controlling a looping Victor Moses cross that terminated with an exceptional volley. As if that wasn’t enough for Man-of-the-Match Musa, the 75th minute proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Iceland when he mazed his way past Iceland’s keeper and picked his spot on goal.
Sunday Oliseh’s Rocket against Spain (1998 World Cup):
The 1998 Super Eagles team might have been the most iconic of all time, but the man at the center was Sunday Oliseh. The towering midfielder was a wall against attacking midfielders and strikers, but he wasn’t known much for scoring.
For Nigeria’s first match of the 1998 World Cup against Spain, the baton fell on Oliseh, who while jot typically a scorer, knew how to convert the fatal clearance made by Spain. The game was already 2-2, and with 12 minutes to time, a fatal mistake by Spain’s Fernando Hierro was just what Oliseh needed to seal the winner. Oliseh caught it on the half-volley and thundered a low strike just inside the post past stunned Spain keeper Andoni Zubizarreta.
Rashidi Yekini’s opener in the 1994 AFCON final:
Thought by many as the Super Eagles’ deadliest striker, Rashidi “The Bull” Yekini broke the deadlock in the 1994 AFCON final against Zambia.
The game was at draw, a tense affair, but Yekini rose to the occasion. With a powerful header from a set piece, he volleyed the ball into the back of the net, sending Naija fans into jubilation and breaking Zambia’s heart.
Amokachi Versus Argentina (1994 World Cup):
The 1994 World Cup was a tournament of Nigerian brilliance, and that particular Super Eagles team has been hailed as the best of all time. In a second-round clash against Argentina, Daniel Amokachi produced a moment of individual brilliance.
Picking the ball up deep in his own half, he embarked on a mazy run leaving the Argentine defenders bewildered. Argentine defenders in his wake. Rounding up goalkeeper Luis Islas, Amokachi calmly slotted the ball home, securing this famous Nigerian victory.
Finidi George’s seals the win against Greece (1994 World Cup):
Nigeria looked confident going into the game against Greece to move past the group stages. In what turned out to be the most iconic celebration of the tournament, George slipped past defenders to receive a cross from Amuneke and notch the ball just above the Greek stopper.
Sealing the win, George went on to perform his legendary urinating dog post-goal celebration.
Nwankwo Kanu’s finisher Against Brazil in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics:
Nigeria made headlines in 1996 as the first African team to win an Olympic gold medal. Kanu scored two goals against Brazil – a dramatic late equalizer that made it 3-3.
It was Kanu’s last effort however that proved his mastery of the ball. Kanu received a throw-in from Jay Jay Okocha right inside the penalty area. With his back to the keeper, Kanu casually flicked the ball up, deceived the Brazilian keeper, and nutmegged a defender, firing in the “Golden Goal”. That secured a 4-3 victory for the Super Eagles.
Jay-Jay Okocha’s free-kick masterpiece against Cameroon (2000 AFCON):
Jay-Jay Okocha is known for the spectacular, and nothing showcased his masterclass than in the 2000 AFCON semis against arch-rivals Cameroon. Okocha stepped up to a stunning free-kick just outside the box, sending the ball curling away from the wall and dipping viciously towards the far corner.
Cameroonian goalkeeper, Carlos Kameni, could only watch in despair as the ball nestled into the net, while Naija fans went into a frenzy.
Samson Siasia’s audacious chip against Algeria (1984 AFCON):
Samson Siasia remains one of Nigeria’s most prolific strikers. Aster AFCON glory in 1994, the Super Eagles went to USA for the FIFA ’94 World Cup.
In the opening group match against Greece, Siasia scored the opening goal with a powerful volley to give confidence to the Nigerians for the rest of the match. The Super Eagles eventually won the match 3-0.
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Wrapping Up
These nine goals are just but a glimpse of how truly talented and consistent the Super Eagles are. While not all these goals resulted in victories, the players who wrote themselves in the history books shone with each goal attempt.
From the sheer, raw power of Amokachi, to the audacious dribbling of Kanu and blazing shots of Okocha, this has been your top 9 Super Eagles goals. See you on the next one!
