Football is one of the most powerful unifying tools, uniting a nation through various tournaments. For Africa, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has played and continues to play a dynamic role in uniting citizens of a country regardless of tribe or ethnicity. And football has been a huge blessing for Nigeria. Is a goal!!!!!!! Is a time when Nigeria doesn’t care where you come from or who you are. It is a time when every Nigerian comes together with the mindset of “we-go-win.”
Football is one place where Nigerians have cried and laughed together—from our victory over Algeria in 1980 to our defeat against Cameroon in 2000. We have shared the joys and sorrows that the game has brought to us as a nation. But we did it in unity, not division—in love, not hatred.
This game is so powerful that it inspires nations to support and love one another while also instilling hatred when a country dominates. Surprised? Don’t be, because if you are an ardent follower of the sport, you will be knowledgeable about this. But for clarity, let me share with you some history from our home of information.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), In 1980, when Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme were in power, Nigeria ended Ghana’s dominance in the tourney with a 3-0 defeat. Ghana and Cameroon had been a thorn in Nigeria’s flesh. Cameroon and Ghana frustrated Nigeria with football, but for Ghana, this domination ended in 1980. The Cameroonian exceptionalism ended in 2004.
Godfrey Times published an article on a timeline of 5 unforgettable Super Eagles of Nigeria moments at the AFCON. In the history-reliving piece, you will read about the Maiden AFCON victory on home soil, Tunisia ‘94 and the ‘golden generation,’ Ikpeba’s penalty miss in 2000, Sweet revenge against Cameroon in 2004, and the 3-star Eagles.
When Cameroon took the lead against Nigeria in the year 2000, Lagos (a mini-Nigeria) was in utter silence. They defeated Nigeria on penalties in the stadium, where we won the tournament in 1980. It was a very hurtful time. However, when Okocha’s Carling Cup special reintroduced Nigeria into the game in 2004, Lagos yelled the loudest “goal!!!!!!!” Nigeria won famously thanks to a brilliant free-kick and a cool finish by John Utaka. It was our second-best come-from-behind victory, after beating Brazil in Atlanta in 1996.
Surulere received lifetime recognition in football when Nigeria defeated Algeria in the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which was held at the national stadium. Our parents’ generation still talks about that year, which was Nigeria’s first glorious year of football in the tourney’s history. It was a time we declare our football prowess to the continent.
As the tournament begins today, see here for the fixture dates and venues, and here to meet the 28 Eagles flying Nigeria’s flag in peace and unity at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations AFCON.
