American sportswear manufacturer, Nike, have released Super Eagles new kits for 2020, but it has been met with mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Unlike the 2018 World Cup jersey that was universally acclaimed, the reaction to this new kit was mixed with some saying the away jersey looks like a local cloth called “Ankara’.
However, a lot of fans were impressed with the green home jersey. The home and away jersey was unveiled on Nike’s official website.
The Super Eagles will wear it all through the 2021 AFCON qualifiers and also the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Following the unveiling, Nigerians took to Twitter to express their feelings towards the design.
We like 🔥👌🏽🦅💚 pic.twitter.com/JD8gFfOY5w
— Leon Balogun (@LeonBalogun) February 5, 2020
E no pure at all…. Well, it's time for is to play the game instead of displaying a colourful jersey #nff #nike #jersey #supereagles
— Kc Valentine (@Kc_Val_Anfield) February 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/vee___14/status/1225170565197156353
The green and white looks like herbalist uniform
— ORIADE KING👑 (@jibrony24) February 6, 2020
Pls this isn't cool, just don't disgrace us,
From the best jersy in fifa world cup, to a faded looking second hand Jersey.
Are you people smoking something ?
— Shehu Achituwo® (@ShehuTanko) February 5, 2020
Nike win again. 😍
Nigeria, Korea and USA all receive their new strips for 2020, and they're sensational. 🇳🇬🇰🇷🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/btNUZSk7gC
— COPA90 (@Copa90) February 5, 2020
Nigeria's 2020 Nike kits. 🔥
Nike can do great things when they want or when you let them. pic.twitter.com/rV56xUfm3o
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 5, 2020
Nigeria and Nike for the win. Again. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KnLlqwtzZk
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 5, 2020
Nike x Nigeria 🇳🇬
Name a better combo…
We'll wait 😍 pic.twitter.com/9xTuOfiktl
— Goal (@goal) February 5, 2020
Nike have only gone and done it again…
Another wonderful Nigeria kit! 🇳🇬😍 pic.twitter.com/PD09mQlVhm
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) February 5, 2020
This thing looks like burial asoebi https://t.co/SMevGvipDt
— Alusi ndi Nimo (@tobby_stark) February 5, 2020
Meanwhile, Nike have explained the reason behind the design of both the home and away jersey. In a statement on Twitter, Nike Senior Director, Heidi Burgett said the home jersey is a mix of an agbada design and modern football design. At the same time, the away kit is inspired by onaism.
Agbada is a traditional wear popular among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, and that inspired the design for the home kit.
New 2020 kits for Nigeria: Home kit’s hand drawn design fuses the traditional aesthetic of an agbada robe w/ modern football design. Away kit trim is inspired by Onaism. Broader collection of Super Eagles apparel includes a poncho, vest, dress, & more. pic.twitter.com/ia0SdTs0vD
— Heidi Burgett (@heidiburgett) February 5, 2020
The Super Eagles are expected to wear the kit for the first time when they resume their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.