This list is about the checkered history of Nigeria at the
African Cup of Nations. The obvious is omitted: Nigeria are reigning champions.
Enjoy!
1) 1978 CAN
The tournament heralded the beginning of great
things to come. Segun Odegbami shared the highest goal scorer prize with 2
other players.
2) 3 in 1
Nigera hosted and won the 1980 edition of the
African Cup of Nations, with individual prizes to boot. Segun Odegbami (a.k.a
mathematical) was joint-highest goal scorer and ex-Super Eagles coach Christian
Chukwu was most valuable player.
3) The ‘thing’ between Nigeria and
Cameroun
They have been Nigeria’s nemesis literally.
Cameroun have won the African Cup of Nations 4 times, three of these titles
have been won by besting Nigeria. Nigeria to them lost in 1984 and 1988.
History repeated itself: Nigeria lost to them controversially in the 2002
edition of the cup co-hosted by both countries.
4) Fixation with silver
Nigeria have been runners-up four times—1984, 1988,
1990, 2000. This fixation with second position is shared with Ghana
(they have 4 too).
5) Bronze! Bronze! Bronze! Bronze!
Bronze! Bronze! Bronze!
7 times have the Super
Eagles claimed bronze at the African Cup of Nations. Now if winning silver a
record 4 times can be termed fixation, what do we call this? Mania? Madness? No
other country comes close—Cote d’ Ivoire has just four.
6) Never been fourth
This means that they have never lost a third place
match. 7 third place matches, 7 wins. What a record.
7) Rashidi Yekini
The iconic forward was highest goal scorer at two
consecutive African Cup of Nations tournaments. He led 1992 tournament with
four goals, and 5 goals at 1994 tournament. Overall, he’s no push-over: he has
13 CAN goals. Only Cameroun Samuel Eto’o (18) and Ivory Coast Laurent Pokou
(14) have more.
8) Jay Jay Okocha
Jay jay okocha was joint-highest goal scorer and
most valuable player at Tunisia 2004.
9) Julius Aghahowa
Julius aghahowa, the back flip expert, was joint-highest goal scorer at
Nigeria/Cameroun 2002. No player scorer more than a meagre 3 goals.
10) Emmanuel Emenike
He was Nigeria's goal hero at the last CAN in South Africa. He scored
four goals to claim joint-top scorer.
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