Super Eagles 1994 and Super Eagles 2024, are we getting there?
By Dr. Salau Dee Elf (NUGA Publicity Liaison Officer 1993-2001)
In 1994, a group of Nigerian football players were invited to the Nigerian National Team camp under the tutelage of Coach Clemence Westerhof, the Dutch tactician. The young talented players some of them home based and others were to slug it out for the prestigious African Cup of Nations.
The team which later won the heart of Nigerians due to their beautiful football artistry included home based players who were to later ply their trade in the best clubs in Europe.
The Super Eagles 1994 team included the late Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh and the giant striker, Rashidi Yekinni and Amunike. Others are Austin Eguavon, Uche Okechukwu, Samson Siasia, Ben Iroha, Mutiu Adepoju, Finidi George (the current Tactician of the Super Eagles) and a host of others.
This Super Eagles team successful won the African Cup of Nation in 1994 under Coach Westernof. It was listed as the best African team to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and number 3 in the World. This rating brought the team to the limelight coupled with the fact that it was Nigeria’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition.
At the end of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States of America, the team though on its first appearance qualified into the second round of the competition defeating Bulgaria in the opening match. It took the powerful and experienced Italian team who were eventual finalist to stop them in the Second Round. FIFA declared the team as the most entertaining team of the competition with its style of play and superb supporters.
The commitment of the 1994 Super Eagles team was excellent. The Coaching crew led by Westernof was fully in charge and very close to the players. Their total commitment showed up in the lively clips coming from the team each time they had matches to play. The rancour on allowances and other issues could not fester as the team was properly managed.
Here is another set of the Super Eagles 30 years after composed of talented Nigerian players in the mold of the 1994 Super Eagles team. This present team has an advantage of experience having reached the finals of the last 2023 African Cup of Nations played January 2024. The team is also blessed with some Nigerian players who are top players in their different Clubs abroad.
The team is also blessed with a Chief Coach, Mr. Finidi George who coincidentally was a powerful member of the 1994 Nigeria team. The closeness to players and the harmonious relationship within the camp suggests that the Coach is toeing the part of his 1994 Coach, Clemence Westernof.
The Coach has invited cracked players to the camp for the two-legged qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic. The top notch players are UEFA Europa Cup winner Ademola Lookman of Atalanta(Italy), Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Nwobi. Others are goal keepers Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali and homeboy Ojo Olorunleke. Defenders are Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Tanimu and homeboy Sadiq Ismail.
The remaining midfield and striking force include Raphael Onyedika, Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nathan Tella. Others are Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
This packed team that will attempt to be like the 1994 team has some hurdles to cross in this bid. First and foremost, the team must win their remaining 2026 World Cup qualifying and qualify for the competition. The team must qualify for the 2025 AFCON and perform creditably well as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup.
The most important for now is for this talented team to work together harmoniously to take each of its matches as it comes courageously too. Nigeria has never had it so good in the line up of players for competitions in the recent times. Superb players in the different departments of the game like we have in the 1994 team. The big question is ‘Are we in the era of good football of the Nigerian 1994 Super Eagles team?’ Only time and performance will tell. Wishing this talented Super Eagles team and their Coach the best in their various engagements starting with the South African team today.
Dr Salau Dee Elf writes from Lagos | [email protected]
