Having defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, the Super Eagles are two steps away from winning their fourth Nations Cup title.
Ahead of Nigeria’s semi-final clash between the winner of Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire, Soccernet’s Augustine takes a look at how the Super Eagles performed in the previous 14 semifinals.
14 March 1978: Uganda 2–1 Nigeria
At the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations that was hosted by Ghana, the Nigerian Gren Eagles as they are called back then lost 2-1 to Uganda in the semi-final stages at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.
19 March 1980: Nigeria 1–0 Morocco
An Owolabi’s goal in the 9th minutes was enough for the Green Eagles to overcome the Atlas Lion of Morocco in the semi-final of the Nations Cup at the Surulere National Stadium, Lagos. After the victory, Nigeria went ahead to trashed Algeria 3-0 in the final.
14 March 1984: Egypt 2–2 Nigeria
At the 1984 Nations Cup that was hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, the Green Eagles defeated Egypt via penalty shootouts after the 90 minutes had ended 2-2. However, Nigeria lost the final to Cameroon 3-1.
23 March 1988: Nigeria 1–1 Algeria (a.e.t.)
The Green Eagles edged the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the semi-final on penalties after playing 1-1 at regulation time. For the second time, Nigeria lost the final 1-0 to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
12 March 1990: Zambia 0–2 Nigeria
The Clemens Westerhof led-Super Eagles made an impressive showing at the bi-annual tournament, beating Zambia 2-0 in the final thanks to Uche Okechukwu and late Rasheed Yekini’s goal. Again, Nigeria was beaten in the final by the host, Algeria 1-0.
January 23, 1992: Ghana 2–1 Nigeria
The Black Stars of Ghana proved too hot for the Super Eagles as the team defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-final at the Nations Cup.
6 April 1994: Nigeria 2–2 Ivory Coast (a.e.t)
Nigeria was victorious against Ivory Coast in the semi-final of the Nations Cup via penalty shootouts. Nigeria won its second championship, beating Zambia in the final 2−1.
The Zambian team was recently constituted, following an air disaster which saw eighteen players and several staff members of the previous team lost their lives
10 February 2000: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa
As host, the Super Eagles smashed two goals past the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to win the semi-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, for the umpteenth time, Cameroon denied Nigeria the chance to lift their third title at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium.
7 February 2002: Nigeria 1–2 Senegal (a.e.t.)
An organized Senegalese team dented Nigeria’s chances of making it to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, losing 2-1 in the semi-final.
11 February 2004: Tunisia 1–1 Nigeria (a.e.t.)
Again, the Super Eagles couldn’t make it to the final after the Cartage Eagles of Tunisia, host of the Nations Cup defeated Nigeria via penalty shootouts.
7 February 2006: Nigeria 0–1 Ivory Coast
A Didier Drogba’s second-half goal was enough to send the Super Eagles crashing in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
28 January, 2010: Ghana 1–0 Nigeria
Ghana ended Nigeria’s dream of making it to the final of the biennial tournament courtesy Gyan’s goal in the 21st minute of the encounter.
6 February 2013: Mali 1–4 Nigeria
Regarded as one of the best performances of the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations as the team crush Mali 4-1 in the semi-final. The resulting final saw the Super Eagles clinch their third AFCON title under the late coach Stephen Keshi, as Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
