• Latest
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Akwuegbu: Why Nigeria’s Fantastic AFCON Team Failed To Overcome Cameroon On Home Soil

Akwuegbu: Why Nigeria’s Fantastic AFCON Team Failed To Overcome Cameroon On Home Soil

9 months ago
Former Bundesliga Manager Praises Akpeyi Ahead Of Super Eagles Clash Against Benin

Akpeyi Unlucky As Kaizer Chiefs Suffer Defeat In Soweto Derby

21 mins ago
Has Anything Changed With Alex Iwobi Since Leaving Arsenal

Premier League: Alex Iwobi’s Return To Everton’s Starting Lineup Ends In Disappointment

2 hours ago
Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

5 hours ago
Ahmed Musa’s Move To West Brom Close To Collapse

Ahmed Musa’s Move To West Brom Close To Collapse

8 hours ago
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Saturday, January 30, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Soccernet.ng
  • Home
    Former Bundesliga Manager Praises Akpeyi Ahead Of Super Eagles Clash Against Benin

    Akpeyi Unlucky As Kaizer Chiefs Suffer Defeat In Soweto Derby

    Has Anything Changed With Alex Iwobi Since Leaving Arsenal

    Premier League: Alex Iwobi’s Return To Everton’s Starting Lineup Ends In Disappointment

    Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

    Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

    Ahmed Musa’s Move To West Brom Close To Collapse

    Ahmed Musa’s Move To West Brom Close To Collapse

    Europa League: Chukwueze Scores Ndidi Returns In A Night Of Mixed Fortunes For Nigerian Stars

    Rodgers Reveals Ndidi Return Date

    Dream Start For Henry Onyekuru In Turkey

    Dream Start For Henry Onyekuru In Turkey

    Two Super Eagles Stars Make Primeira Liga Team Of The Week

    Jurgen Klopp Is A Fan Of Super Eagles Star Tipped To Excel In The English Premier League

    Gernot Rohr Sends “Don’t Sack Me Yet” Message On Amaju Pinnick’s Birthday

    Revealed: Why The NFF Hasn’t Paid Gernot Rohr

    Ogu Thanks Fans As He Shares Details Of His Mother’s Passing

    Ogu Thanks Fans As He Shares Details Of His Mother’s Passing

  • Live Scores
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Ligue 1
  • App
  • Videos
  • Players Lifestyle
  • Betting
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
No Result
View All Result
Home AFCON

Akwuegbu: Why Nigeria’s Fantastic AFCON Team Failed To Overcome Cameroon On Home Soil

Imhons Erons by Imhons Erons
9 months ago
in AFCON, News, Nigeria
0
Akwuegbu: Why Nigeria’s Fantastic AFCON Team Failed To Overcome Cameroon On Home Soil
22
SHARES
553
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Dutchman Jo Bonfere led one of the Super Eagles’ most talented teams to the 22nd Edition of the African Cup of Nations, but they succumbed at the final hurdle to the superior firepower of the Indomitable Lions.

That Nigeria team boasted the talents of Juventus’ Sunday Oliseh, PSG’s Austin Okocha, Chelsea’s Celestine Babayaro, Arsenal’s Nwankwo Kanu, Borussia Dortmund’s Victor Ikpeba, AC Milan’s Taribo West and Real Betis’ George Finidi, among others.

Most of them were in the peak of their careers, and playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world.

And with Nigeria co-hosting that championship with West African neighbours Ghana, the then-two time continental champions were among the big favourites to lift the trophy.

There was little surprise then when the Super Eagles defeated Tunisia and Morocco while drawing Congo to move to the knockout rounds as Group D leaders.

A Khalilou Fadiga-inspired Senegal proved stubborn in the quarterfinals, but a Julius Aghahowa brace earned Nigeria an extra-time victory.

Tijani Babangida netted the brace that shot down South Africa in the semifinals to usher the Super Eagles into their first AFCON final since their 1994 triumph.

Eternal rivals, Cameroon, had also made their way to the finals after winning three of their five games at the tournament.

In Patrick Mboma and Samuel Eto’o, the Lions had two of Africa’s deadliest strikers, and it was the duo who handed the West African giants a two-goal lead with only half an hour played at the National Stadium, Lagos.

But Raphael Chukwu and Okocha dragged Nigeria back on levelled terms, with the game eventually decided on penalties.

Kanu and Ikpeba lost their spot-kicks to break millions of Nigerian hearts and hand Cameroon their third ever AFCON title.

A member of that squad and former Grazer AK forward Benedict Akwuegbu reckons that only luck denied that talented group of Nigerian stars that Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil.

“In 2000, we had a mixture of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games soccer gold medalists and also some of the 1994 Super Eagles Nations Cup-winning team and World Cup debutants,” he told Brila.

“That was a very strong team, like that of 1994. It was only unfortunate that we didn’t win the AFCON that year because we lost on penalty kicks to Cameroon in the final. You know, penalty kicks is nobody’s game, it is a matter of luck because it is a lottery, it can go either way.

“Cameroon at that time was a very strong team, everyone knows that. But we put up a good fight. We had a solid and fantastic team then, I must say.”

Tags: AFCON 2000Benedict Akwuegbu
Share9Tweet6
Imhons Erons

Imhons Erons

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Serie A: Osimhen Still Waiting For His Goal As Napoli Thrash Genoa

Nigerians Abroad: Okoye Keeps A Clean Sheet, Osimhen In Action For Napoli

January 29, 2021
Leke, Omoijuanfo Lay Ambush For Arsenal In Molde Clash

Nigerian Striker Gives Up Super Eagles Hope With Shock Transfer Move

January 27, 2021
Henry Onyekuru: Gernot Rohr Reacts To Super Eagles Winger’s Switch To Galatasaray

Henry Onyekuru: Gernot Rohr Reacts To Super Eagles Winger’s Switch To Galatasaray

January 28, 2021
Wilfred Ndidi Injured Again, Leicester Boss Provides Update

Wilfred Ndidi Injured Again, Leicester Boss Provides Update

6
Musa, Rohr Speaks On Substitute Role Following Super Eagles Victory Over Benin

Revealed: Why Musa Is Yet To Agree A Deal With West Brom

13
Dream Start For Henry Onyekuru In Turkey

Dream Start For Henry Onyekuru In Turkey

4
Former Bundesliga Manager Praises Akpeyi Ahead Of Super Eagles Clash Against Benin

Akpeyi Unlucky As Kaizer Chiefs Suffer Defeat In Soweto Derby

January 30, 2021
Has Anything Changed With Alex Iwobi Since Leaving Arsenal

Premier League: Alex Iwobi’s Return To Everton’s Starting Lineup Ends In Disappointment

January 30, 2021
Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

Two-Goal Hero Henry Onyekuru Gives Reasons Behind His Sparkling Galatasarsay Debut Display

January 30, 2021
Soccernet.ng

Copyright © 2020 Soccernet Media Limited.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Live Scores
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Ligue 1
  • App
  • Videos
  • Players Lifestyle
  • Betting

Copyright © 2020 Soccernet Media Limited.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In