Throwback Thursday : The Super Eagles Formidable USA 1994 World Cup Squad
Achem Samuel
Many, till this day, are of the opinion that since the USA ’94 Super Eagles squad graced our screens, there has not been any Nigerian squad up to par.
This sentiment is not far-fetched. The 1994 World Cup squad holds one of the best World Cup records so far (Round of 16). This record is only also held by the 1998 and 2014 Super Eagles squads.
After years filled with vain struggles, the Super Eagles squad of 1994 were the first Nigerian team to make it to the FIFA World Cup competition, which was held in America.
Managed by French coach Clemens Westerhof, the 1994 Super Eagles squad stunned the world with an amazing debut as they topped their group which included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece to move into the next round of the games.
In the Round of 16 of the USA ’94 World Cup competition, Nigeria played against Italy, and a goal from Emmanuel Amunike, Twenty-five minutes into the game, brought Nigeria just within an inch of moving into the next round. Two minutes before Nigeria qualified for the quarter-final of the World Cup, Roberto Baggio scored for Italy, taking the game into extra time. Roberto Baggio then scored the winning goal, ending the game 2-1 in favor of Italy.
