Nigeria has enjoyed a rich history in international football, but few fans remember the Super Eagles’ victory in the 1995 Afro-Asia Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
This rare competition, which pitched Africa’s best against Asia’s finest, saw Nigeria take on and defeat Uzbekistan over two legs to clinch the intercontinental crown.
What is the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations?
The Afro-Asian Cup of Nations was a football competition jointly organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The format was that the winners of the African Cup of Nations would face the champions of the Asian Cup or Asian Games over two legs — home and away.
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This rare competition offered continental giants a platform to assert their dominance beyond their region. It also bridges Africa and Asia through football.
Nigeria vs Uzbekistan: The 1995 Showdown
After winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria earned the chance to represent the continent in the 1995 Afro-Asian Cup. Their opponents were Uzbekistan, the champions of the 1994 Asian Games.
In the first leg of the tie, played on October 21, 1995, in Tashkent, Nigeria edged out a 3–2 win. It was a hard-fought match, but the Super Eagles managed to come out on top away from home.
Was the Trophy Lost to Politics?
The Afro-Asian Cup had a promising future, but politics intervened. In 2000, CAF suspended the competition after AFC members supported Germany over South Africa in the vote to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This move was seen as a betrayal by African football leaders.
Although a revival occurred in 2007 under a new name — the AFC Asia/Africa Challenge Cup — the tournament fizzled out shortly after. Egypt and Japan played the only match under the new format, with Japan winning 4–1. Plans for a 2008 edition were never realised.
What other tournaments have Nigeria won?
In addition to their 1995 triumph at the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations, Nigeria's men have won the CAF African Cup of Nations on three occasions — in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
The Super Eagles will hope to add to their tally of AFCON titles soon. If you are planning on backing the boys — or if you are thinking of punting on another team — then first have a look at our guide to Nigeria's best betting sites.
Arguably, Nigeria's most memorable victory of all time came in 1996 when they won gold in the men's football event at the Olympic Games in the USA.
Nigeria beat both Brazil and Argentina in Atlanta, Georgia, with the likes of Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Nwankwo Kanu Uche Okechukwu, Emmanuel Amunike, Tijani Babangida, Wilson Oruma, Teslim Fatusi and Jay-Jay Okocha playing a part.
The Super Eagles also won gold at the 1973 African Games in Lagos.
