The Super Eagles are Nigeria’s men’s national football team, run by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). They have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, taken Olympic gold in 1996 and played at six World Cups.
For a country with Nigeria’s population and talent pool, that record still leaves fans wanting more. That tension between huge potential and uneven results is why the team is one of the most debated in Africa.
Last updated: 19 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Super Eagles are Nigeria’s national team, governed by the NFF, and play in green and white.
- They have won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and finished third at the 2025 edition.
- Nigeria won Olympic gold in 1996 and have reached the World Cup round of 16 three times, in 1994, 1998 and 2014.
- The team missed the 2026 World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in a playoff in November 2025.
- Éric Chelle has been head coach since January 2025, and Wilfred Ndidi is captain.
Where the Super Eagles Name Comes From
The nickname is younger than the team. Nigeria first played as a touring side in England in 1949, and the players were called the UK Tourists, then the Red Devils when they returned home.
After a clash of red shirts with Egypt in 1960, the team switched to green and became the Green Eagles. The Super Eagles name was officially adopted at a reception after the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations.
A Short History of the Super Eagles
The team’s story splits neatly into eras, each with its own heroes.
1. The Early Years, 1949 to 1980
Nigeria’s first official international was a 2-0 win over Sierra Leone in Freetown on 8 October 1949. The country joined CAF in 1959 and FIFA in 1960, and played its first AFCON in 1963.
The breakthrough came in 1980, when Nigeria hosted the tournament and beat Algeria 3-0 in the final for their first continental title.
2. The Golden Era, 1994 to 1998
The 1994 team won the AFCON in Tunisia and then made its World Cup debut, where Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria’s first World Cup goal against Bulgaria on 21 June 1994. Nigeria reached the round of 16.
Two years later the Olympic team won gold in Atlanta, beating Brazil and Argentina along the way. At the 1998 World Cup the side beat Spain 3-2 in the group stage and again reached the last 16.
3. Peaks and Gaps, 2000 to 2019
The years after the golden era were more uneven. Nigeria finished third at AFCON in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019, and reached the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup.
The high point was the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, where Nigeria won their third continental title.
4. The Recent Years, 2023 to 2026
Nigeria reached the 2023 AFCON final but lost to hosts Ivory Coast. At the 2025 edition in Morocco they won their group with three wins, beat Mozambique 4-0 and Algeria 2-0, and lost a semi-final to Morocco on penalties before beating Egypt in a shoot-out for third place.
The World Cup qualifiers ended in disappointment. Nigeria lost to DR Congo on penalties in the playoff final on 16 November 2025 after a 1-1 draw, which ended their 2026 hopes and made it a second straight World Cup without them.
Super Eagles Honours at a Glance
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| Africa Cup of Nations | Champions 1980, 1994, 2013 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Runners-up 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000, 2023 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Third place nine times, most recently in 2025 |
| Olympic Games | Gold, Atlanta 1996 |
| FIFA World Cup | Six appearances, round of 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014 |
Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations, Year by Year
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 1963 | Group stage |
| 1976 | Third place |
| 1978 | Third place |
| 1980 | Champions (as hosts, in Lagos) |
| 1982 | Group stage |
| 1984 | Runners-up (lost the final to Cameroon) |
| 1986 | Did not qualify |
| 1988 | Runners-up (lost the final to Cameroon) |
| 1990 | Runners-up |
| 1992 | Third place |
| 1994 | Champions |
| 1996 | Withdrew |
| 1998 | Banned after the 1996 withdrawal |
| 2000 | Runners-up (co-hosts, lost the final to Cameroon on penalties) |
| 2002, 2004, 2006 | Third place each time |
| 2008 | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | Third place |
| 2012 | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | Champions (beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final) |
| 2015 and 2017 | Did not qualify |
| 2019 | Third place (lost the semi-final to Algeria, beat Tunisia 1-0 for third) |
| 2021 (played January 2022) | Round of 16 (lost 1-0 to Tunisia) |
| 2023 | Runners-up (lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast) |
| 2025 | Third place |
The team’s totals across 21 tournaments are 110 matches, with 63 wins, 24 draws and 23 defeats. The 1996 withdrawal came under pressure from the country’s military ruler, Sani Abacha, and cost Nigeria the 1998 tournament as well. Our full guide to Nigeria at AFCON covers each tournament.
The Super Eagles at the World Cup
Nigeria have qualified for the World Cup six times, and the record is a mix of memorable wins and early exits. Their best result is the round of 16, which they reached three times.
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | USA | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 |
| 2002 | South Korea and Japan | Group stage |
| 2010 | South Africa | Group stage |
| 2014 | Brazil | Round of 16 |
| 2018 | Russia | Group stage |
Nigeria did not qualify in 2006, 2022 or 2026. That means two of the last three tournaments went ahead without them.
Every World Cup Match
| Year | Results |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Bulgaria 0-3 Nigeria, Nigeria 1-2 Argentina, Greece 0-2 Nigeria, then a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the round of 16, where Roberto Baggio scored late |
| 1998 | Nigeria 3-2 Spain, a win over Bulgaria, a defeat to Paraguay, then a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in the round of 16 |
| 2002 | Argentina 1-0 Nigeria, Sweden 2-1 Nigeria, Nigeria 0-0 England |
| 2010 | Argentina 1-0 Nigeria, Greece 2-1 Nigeria, Nigeria 2-2 South Korea |
| 2014 | Nigeria 0-0 Iran, Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Peter Odemwingie scored), Argentina 3-2 Nigeria, then a defeat to France in the round of 16 |
| 2018 | Croatia 2-0 Nigeria, Nigeria 2-0 Iceland (two goals from Ahmed Musa), Argentina 2-1 Nigeria |
In all, Nigeria have played 21 World Cup matches, winning six, drawing three and losing 12. Argentina have been in Nigeria’s group in five of the six tournaments, and each of those five games was decided by a single goal in Argentina’s favour. In 2018 Nigeria were the first African team to qualify for the finals.
How Nigeria Missed the 2026 World Cup
Nigeria finished second in their qualifying group, on 17 points, one behind South Africa on 18. The key results were two 1-1 draws against South Africa, home and away, which cost the group title.
The second-place finish sent Nigeria to the CAF play-offs, where they beat Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final. The final against DR Congo on 16 November 2025 finished 1-1, and DR Congo won the shoot-out. It was the third time since 2006 that Nigeria missed the finals, after 2006 and 2022.
Colours, Home Grounds and Rivals
The team plays in green and white, the colours of the Nigerian flag, and Nike has supplied the kit since 2015. The main home venues are the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Ghana is regarded as the main rival, and Cameroon have also beaten Nigeria in the AFCON final three times, in 1984, 1988 and 2000.
Super Eagles Home Stadiums
| Stadium | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Moshood Abiola National Stadium | Abuja | 60,491 |
| Lagos National Stadium | Lagos | 45,000 |
| Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium | Port Harcourt | 38,000 |
| Godswill Akpabio International Stadium | Uyo | 30,000 |
| Stephen Keshi Stadium | Asaba | 22,000 |
The Abiola stadium in Abuja is the official home, but most important home matches in recent years have been played in Uyo. Nigeria have worn kits made by Erima (1980 to 1983), Admiral (1984 to 1987), Adidas (1988 to 1994), Nike (1995 to 2003), Adidas again (2004 to 2014) and Nike since 2015.
Nigeria’s Biggest Rivals
- Ghana: The main rivals, and the opponent Nigeria have played most. The fixture is called the Jollof Derby, and our guide to Nigeria vs Ghana covers the history in full.
- Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions beat Nigeria in the AFCON finals of 1984, 1988 and 2000. The 2000 final went to penalties, after a Victor Ikpeba kick was ruled not to have crossed the line.
- Algeria: A 1-1 draw in Algeria in 1993 secured Nigeria’s place at the 1994 World Cup, while Algeria knocked Nigeria out of the 2019 AFCON semi-finals.
- Argentina: Five World Cup meetings, and Argentina won every one by a single goal. Nigeria have only beaten them in friendlies.
- South Africa: In 17 meetings Nigeria have won seven, drawn seven and lost two. Nigeria knocked South Africa out of the 2000 AFCON, and the two drew 1-1 in both 2026 qualifiers.
- Benin: Nigeria have won 14 and lost two of their meetings, with two draws.
Super Eagles Records and Firsts
| Most caps | Caps | Top scorers | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Musa | 110 | Rashidi Yekini | 37 in 62 caps |
| Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo | 101 each | Victor Osimhen | 35 in 51 caps |
| Alex Iwobi | 100 | Segun Odegbami | 22 |
| Moses Simon | 99 | Yakubu Aiyegbeni | 21 |
- Best goals-per-game ratio: Victor Osimhen (0.69), ahead of Yekini (0.60).
- Biggest win: 10-0 against São Tomé and Príncipe in Agadir on 14 June 2022.
- Biggest defeat: 7-0 against a Gold Coast and British Togoland side in Accra on 1 June 1955.
- FIFA ranking: Highest was 5th in April 1994, lowest 82nd in November 1999, and 26th in July 2026.
Super Eagles Head Coaches: The Notable Names
| Coach | Years | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Otto Glória | 1978 to 1981 | AFCON 1980 champions |
| Clemens Westerhof | 1989 to 1994 | AFCON 1994 champions and the 1994 World Cup debut |
| Bora Milutinović | 1997 to 1998 | 1998 World Cup, with the 3-2 win over Spain |
| Stephen Keshi | 2011 to 2014 and 2015 | AFCON 2013 champions and the 2014 World Cup round of 16 |
| Gernot Rohr | 2016 to 2021 | 2018 World Cup qualification |
| José Peseiro | 2022 to 2024 | AFCON 2023 runners-up |
| Éric Chelle | 2025 to present | AFCON 2025 third place |
Augustine Eguavoen has had several spells in charge, including as caretaker, and now serves as technical director. Chelle’s staff includes assistants Hedi Taboubi, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede.
Who Leads the Super Eagles Today?
Éric Chelle was appointed head coach in January 2025, and his first major test was the World Cup campaign that ended against DR Congo. Wilfred Ndidi captains the side, and Nigeria were ranked 26th in the world by FIFA in July 2026.
Two records still stand out. Ahmed Musa is the most-capped player with 110 appearances, and Yekini remains the top scorer with 37 goals, according to figures from July 2026.
Current Squad: Players Listed in June 2026
The squad listing as of 10 June 2026 carried these players, with caps in brackets where they were given. Squads change from window to window, so check the NFF’s latest announcement before a match.
- Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (37), Maduka Okoye (21), Arthur Okonkwo (2).
- Defenders: Semi Ajayi (57), Calvin Bassey (45), Zaidu Sanusi (32), Bruno Onyemaechi (30), Emmanuel Fernandez (3), Christian Akpan (1).
- Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (99), Wilfred Ndidi (79, captain), Frank Onyeka (45), Raphael Onyedika (26), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (19), Tochukwu Nnadi (5), Abdullahi Bewene (2).
- Forwards: Moses Simon (99), Samuel Chukwueze (59), Paul Onuachu (33), Terem Moffi (23), Akor Adams (15), Philip Otele (5).
Alex Iwobi is the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha, which is a neat link between two generations of Nigerian midfielders.
How Nigeria Produces So Much Talent
Nigeria’s youth teams are among the best in the world. The Golden Eaglets have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015, more than any other country, and that pipeline feeds the senior side.
The gap between youth success and senior consistency is a familiar debate, which our piece on Nigeria’s football pyramid explores in detail.
What Is Next for the Super Eagles?
The next target is AFCON 2027. Nigeria are in Group L of qualifying with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, one of the three co-hosts of the finals. Qualifying opened in September 2026, and the final round of games comes in March 2027.
For the full picture, our AFCON 2027 qualifiers guide tracks every group. Nigeria and Benin explored a late joint bid to host the finals but withdrew before the vote, which East Africa’s joint bid won. Our complete guide to AFCON 2027 covers how the tournament will be staged.
Super Eagles FAQ
Why are Nigeria called the Super Eagles?
Before independence the team was known as the Red Devils because of its scarlet tops. It then became the Green Eagles, a reference to the flag and the eagle on the coat of arms. The Super Eagles name was officially adopted at a reception after the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations.
How many times have Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations?
Three times: 1980, 1994 and 2013.
How many World Cups have Nigeria played in?
Six: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018. They did not qualify for 2006, 2022 or 2026.
Who is the Super Eagles’ all-time top scorer?
Rashidi Yekini, with 37 goals. Victor Osimhen is close behind on 35, in fewer matches.
Who has the most caps for Nigeria?
Ahmed Musa, with 110.
Who is the Super Eagles coach?
Éric Chelle, who took charge in January 2025. Wilfred Ndidi is the captain.
What is the Nigerian women’s team called?
The Super Falcons. The youth teams are the Flying Eagles (under-20) and the Golden Eaglets (under-17).
When did Nigeria win Olympic gold?
At Atlanta 1996, beating Argentina 3-2 in the final.
What is Nigeria’s best FIFA ranking?
5th, in April 1994.
Why did Nigeria miss the 2026 World Cup?
They finished second in their qualifying group behind South Africa, beat Gabon 4-1 in the play-off semi-final, and lost to DR Congo on penalties in the final on 16 November 2025.
Why the Super Eagles Still Matter
The Super Eagles have the trophies, the youth pipeline and a fanbase that expects more. They also carry the weight of two World Cups missed in a row, which is the biggest test for Chelle and his squad.
If you want to judge the team for yourself, watch how Nigeria handle their qualifying group and whether they reach AFCON 2027 in strong form. That will say more about the state of the team than any ranking.