The Nigeria national football squad at Tunisia 1994 Africa Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) tournament paraded some notable names that made the squad a fearsome proposition and are arguably the best Eagles squad in the nation’s footballing history.
The team came into the 1994 AFCON tournament as one of the three favourites for the title, which they ended up winning.
This was after their first triumph in 1980.
Though hampered by the baggage of emerging as runners-up in I984 and 88, coach Clemence Westerhof was determined to end Nigeria’s long search for her second AFCON title and it was a perfect timing.
Grouped alongside Egypt and Gabon in group B, the golden generation approached the competition with caution, but the team began their campaign on a bright note as they dismissed Gabon 3-0 in the opener with two goals coming from the late Rashidi Yekini and Mutiu Adepoju.
Their second game was a goalless draw against Egypt to book a place in the knockout stages.
Zaire were not an easy opponent in the second round but Yekini’s brace took Nigeria into the semi-final to face arch-rivals, Ivory Coast.
In what was a pulsating encounter that swung back and forth, the Eagles triumphed on penalties after the 90 minutes and extra time ended 2-2.
It was one man against the world as Zambia earned the sympathy of the football’s global family after its first team perished on the coast of Gabon during World Cup qualifiers.