Goal chronicles the key numbers that have marked the Super Eagles participation at the quadrennial world football fiesta
SPECIAL By Shina Oludare
As the Super Eagles prepare for their fifth appearance at the Fifa World Cup in Brazil,
Goal gives an account of the Nigeria national team's outing in the competition’s history in numbers.
1- The number of red cards received by any Super
Eagles player since making their debut at the USA 1994 World Cup. Sani
Kaita was given his marching orders by referee Olegario Benquerenca in
the 33rd minute against Greece in a group stage game at the Durban
Stadium on June 6, 2010.
Sani Kaita | The only Eagle to be sent off at the World Cup
2- The number of times Nigeria have drawn a game at
the tournament. The first was recorded against England in Korea/Japan
2002 while the second was in the country’s last group game versus South
Korea that ended 2-2 four years ago.
2- The number of goals scored by Kalu Uche, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke who are Nigeria’s joint highest goal scorers.
3- The number of times Nigeria have faced Argentina,
with the Super Eagles losing every time to the South Americans. Both
countries will meet at this year's edition in Brazil for a record fourth
time.
4- The number of games Nigeria have won in four Fifa
World Cup tournaments, a record that falls far short of the all-time
record (held by Brazil with 67 wins). The Super Eagles have lost eight
matches while they have secured a draw just twice.
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"Siasia is remembered fondly for scoring Nigeria's fastest goal in the Fifa World Cup."
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4- This number also represents the most goals
conceded in a single match by Nigeria at the mundial. The Super Eagles
were spanked 4-1 by Denmark in a second round encounter at France 98 in
a match played at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis on June 28, 1998.
4- The number of victories over European countries
by the Super Eagles. They defeated Bulgaria and Greece at USA '94 and
Spain and Bulgaria at France '98.
7- Most goals scored in a tournament. This was
achieved at USA 94 where Clemens Westerhof’s Eagles found the back of
the net seven times in four games. Whereas at South Korea/Japan 2002,
Nigeria recorded their least number of goals with just one, from Julius
Aghaowa, against Sweden in a 2-1 defeat.
8- The number of minutes when Samson Siasia scored
Nigeria’s fastest goal in World Cup history. He achieved this feat with
his strike on June 25, 1994 against Argentina at the Foxborough
Stadium.
9- This figure accounts for the most appearances
made by a Nigerian player in senior World Cup history. Austine ‘Jay Jay’
Okocha boasts of this record with nine games in three Fifa World Cups.
He made six starts with three from the substitutes' bench, winning three
games, losing five and drawing one.
Jay Jay | Most capped Nigerian
14- The number of matches Nigeria have played at
Fifa World Cups, making them the second-highest playing African country
in the history of the competition after Cameroon. This figure also
represents the total number of points gathered by the country in all
World Cup matches to date. Cameroon boast of the most points (19) by an
African team at the tournament while Brazil (216) have the most points
gathered by any country in the history of the World Cup.
15- The number of times Nigeria have failed to make
it to the world stage. Their first black-out was at the inaugural
edition staged in Uruguay in 1930, and they remained on the outside
until Italia 90, before eventually making their debut in the 15th
edition hosted by the United State of America. The country last missed
out of the competition in 2006 when Angola beat them to the ticket.
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Super Eagles | All-Time Stats
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World Cup 2002 squad |
| Tournament |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
| USA '94 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
| France '98 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
| Korea/Japan 02 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| South Africa 10 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
17 |
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17- The total number of goals Nigeria have
scored in all Fifa World Cups, they have conceded 21 goals in the same
number of outings. The Super Eagles also boast of these same number of
shots on goal in the history of the competition which makes them the
best African team in terms of attacking prowess.
17- Femi Opabunmi is the youngest-ever Nigerian to
have represented the country at 17 years, three months and nine days. He
is the third youngest player ever after Northern Ireland’s Norman
Whiteside (17years, one month and 10 days) at
Espana '82 and Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o Fils (17years, three months and seven days) at France '98.
20- Julius Aghahowa is the youngest Nigerian player
to score at the Fifa World Cup at the age of 20 years and four months.
He achieved this feat at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe where the Super
Eagles lost 2-1 to Sweden. Aghahowa’s 27th minute strike put the
Nigerians ahead before Henrik Larsson’s brace caged the Eagles.
Julius Aghahowa | Celebrates his goal against Sweden
21- On June 21, 1994 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in
Dallas, Nigeria made her debut in the Fifa World Cup by beating Bulgaria
3-0 with goals from Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel
Amunike.
24- The number of yellow cards Nigeria have bagged
in four appearances at the World Cup, an average of six cautions per
tournament.
30- Nigeria’s oldest goal scorer in Fifa World Cup
history is Rashidi Yekini at age 30 and eight months. The goal came
against Bulgaria on June 21, 1994 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
Incidentally, it was Nigeria’s first World Cup goal.
34- Legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai is the oldest
Super Eagles player to feature at the Fifa World Cup at 34 years and 10
months. His last game was in Nigeria's 4-1 spanking by Denmark on June
28, 1998.
Peter Rufai | Oldest Nigerian to play at the World Cup
37 – The country is ranked as the 37th best country
ever to have participated in the senior World Cup. Nigeria occupy the
third spot in Africa with Cameroon occupying the 28th position in the
world while Ghana, with just two appearances, are placed 34th.
77- The minute in which Sunday Oliseh scored
Nigeria's winning goal in a 3-2 defeat of pre-tournament favourites
Spain at Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes on June 13, 1998. The cracker is
regarded among the best World Cup goals.
77,000- This is the record number of spectators to
watch a Super Eagles game in the World Cup. This was set on June 28,
1998 at Stade de France in Nigeria’s second round 4-1 defeat against
Denmark. The former European champions won with goals from Peter Moller,
Brian Laudrup, Michael Laudrup, and Thomas Helveg. Tijani Babangida’s
77th-minute strike was little more than scant consolation.