Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has revealed that one of his fondest African Cup of Nations memories is Sunday Mba’s goal in the final of the competition in 2013, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria have claimed three AFCON titles, and these triumphs have all come with a lot of memories. However, some have stuck more than others.

Bayer Leverkusen superstar Boniface will be looking to create new memories for Nigeria when the AFCON starts in Ivory Coast next year. Meanwhile, he has some memories of his own.

He has revealed that one of his fondest memories is Sunday Mba’s goal in the 2023 final against Burkina Faso. Mba got on the end of a loose ball outside the box, chipped a defender, and struck the ball on the volley to score that goal that sealed Nigeria’s status as champions.

“I remember when Sunday Mba scored the goal[against Burkina Faso in the final]. It was really huge during that time for Nigeria and we celebrated like crazy. So we are looking forward to the next AFCON,” Boniface said per Oma Akatugba.

With the AFCON five weeks away, coach Jose Peseiro has a big job in his hands. Nigeria have been in poor form recently, and it would take something special to produce the kind of performance they had in 2013.

Former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi revealed that return tickets were purchased for the Nigerian national team in anticipation of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification tie against Côte d’Ivoire, Soccernet.ng reports.

At the time, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, led by the late Stephen Keshi, were considered underdogs and underrated due to their previous performances.

Reports suggest that the Nigeria Football Federation had already arranged return tickets, assuming they wouldn’t defeat the formidable Ivory Coast team in the quarterfinals.

Onazi explained in an interview with Soccernet’s Managing Editor, Lolade Adewuyi, that they were asked about their post-match plans to determine their travel arrangements.

“It was not handed out to us, but we were contacted. They were asking, ‘Where are you going to? Are you going to Nigeria, or are you going back to your club?'” he said.

Onazi, who was an active member of Lazio at the time, felt embarrassed by the notion and questioned the pessimism surrounding their chances.

“It was really embarrassing. Not because they were asking per se, but I was saying, ‘Is this how we are going to leave the tournament?’ and we have not played the game. I didn’t even say anything to the person who was asking. I said, ‘Leave my ticket; I will find my way when the time comes.’ But I had this positivity, and I said, ‘No, it’s not possible. We cannot come to this tournament and go just like that. So why should we give up when we have not even taken to the pitch?'”

Prior to the match, team captain Joseph Yobo, who had a disagreement with former Chelsea star Mikel Obi, put aside their issues and delivered a motivating speech to his teammates, championing their victory against the Elephants.

“Something interesting happened before the match against Ivory Coast. The big boss had a meeting after our lunch. When he finished, Joseph Yobo, the captain, said we should all wait. So when he said we should wait, he had been having this little issue with Mikel [Obi]. So immediately the coaching staff went out, he just burst at Mikel [Obi] immediately.” Onazi recalled.

After the team calmed down, Yobo addressed the squad: “I know I have some issues with Mikel, but that’s okay. We have a very important game ahead of us. And I know I am not starting this game, but I know you guys in there will do us proud. Yes, we must have these small fights, but it’s to strengthen us and show us that we are strong as a team. And I am wishing you guys all the best. You guys go out there and prove that we can beat these guys. It’s good that we are the underdogs, and it’s better we are already written off by our country. We know that we have tickets already to go back to our country and clubs.”

Mikel also spoke, saying, “Guys, yes, we will fight ourselves inside, but let’s fight our opponents outside.”

Watch the video here:

The Super Eagles won the game 2-1, with goals from Emmanuel Emenike, Cheick Tiote, and Sunday Mba, advancing to the semi-finals where they faced Mali.

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Sunday Mba has taken a huge swipe at the present crop of Super Eagles under the guidance of former Sporting Lisbon manager Jose Peseiro.

Sunday Mba is not pleased with the Eagles’ poor performances and results in recent games, highlighting the lackadaisical attitude shown by several players in competitive and friendly games.

And Mba has questioned the quality and passion of the players that manager Jose Peseiro has invited to the national team in recent times.

In a chat on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred with former Super Eagles left-back, Ifeanyi Udeze, Mba lamented that the national team is lacking the dedication and unity of purpose that characterised the side under former head coach Stephen Keshi.

“There was unity in the camp,” Mba volunteered. “We were together as a family and the result started coming.

“I wasn’t the only home-based player, but I was the only one that broke into the team.
“The foreign-based players treated us well. There was no discrimination and the late Stephen Keshi made sure of that.

“Our Super Eagles are not making us happy, this team is playing like they don’t care about the national team. Some of them do not merit to come to the team, and some do not merit to play.

“I sometimes doubt how they are selected, they are not even playing entertaining or captivating football and you will be disappointed when you watch them.”

Peseiro Eagles’ poor friendly return

Manager Jose Peseiro was appointed as the Super Eagles’ manager after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The former Sporting Lisbon manager has a 100 per cent record in competitive matches, having led the Super Eagles to wins over Sierra Leone and Sao Tome & Principe in the Afcon qualifying series.

But the Portuguese tactician’s record in friendly matches has been poor. The Super Eagles have suffered defeats in the hands of Ecuador, Mexico, Algeria, and most recently Portugal under Peseiro’s watch.

Soccernet Nigeria reviews the ten greatest goals scored by the Nigeria national football team over the last decade, based simply on the importance of the goal to team success or the sheer brilliance behind the execution of the strike or, in some cases, both.

10. Alex Iwobi vs Argentina (4-2, 4th goal)

The then Arsenal forward scored twice as Nigeria stunned two-time World Cup winners Argentina by recovering from two goals down to triumph 4-2 in Krasnodar but it was his second of the day that sent the social media space into a wild frenzy.

With the Super Eagles having turned around a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 lead, Argentina were increasingly desperate to claw their way back into the match but their hopes were ended when Iwobi grabbed his second goal on 73 minutes.

Taking a pass from Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi sent Mascherano for a quick nap with a naughty nutmeg before hammering home a left footed shot to seal a fine win over the South Americans.

https://youtu.be/j-SjPk5lzow

9. Ahmed Musa vs Iceland (2-0, 1st goal)

Having lost their World Cup opener to Croatia, Gernot Rohr’s men knew that another defeat would mean a premature exit from the tournament but the team delivered the win in convincing fashion, handing Iceland a 2-0 defeat courtesy of a brace from Musa.

The first – an early contender for goal of the tournament – arrived just after the interval.

Musa showed a superb technique to bring down a firm Victor Moses cross, and despite the attentions of two opposing defenders, he fired Nigeria ahead on the half-volley from 10 yards out. Hannes ThorHalldorsson stood no chance.

8. Victor Moses vs Cameroon (4-0, 3rd goal)

It is not every day that Nigeria get to humiliate the Indomitable Lions but when you’ve got Victor Moses, anything is possible.

The retired Nigerian midfielder was involved in every good move the Super Eagles made as a goal apiece from Odion Ighalo, the Chelsea FC winger himself, skipper Mikel Obi and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho ensured Nigeria grabbed the maximum three points at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Moses’ strike, however, was the pick of the bunch. As Cameroon drove forward in search of a way back into the tie after the Super Eagles had stormed into a 2-0 lead, Moses robbed one of possession and, after exchanging passes with Mikel Obi, galloped forward with the ball glued to his feet.

Victor Moses released Moses Simon with a pass into the box before tucking the return pass beyond the reach of the opponent’s goalkeeper.

7. Joe Aribo vs Brazil (1-1)

Nigeria soaked the early pressure exerted by the five-time world champions and took the Selecao by surprise with the pace of Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon upfront.

Having stomached the best the South Americans could offer without any major casualty, the Super Eagles punched back in the 35th minute leaving Title’s men reeling.

Osimhen switched play from the right flank to the left where Moses danced with the ball into the Brazilian box before laying a simple pass to Joe Aribo.

The Ranger’s midfielder, just playing his second ever game for Nigeria, waltzed through a couple of challenges before stroking the ball past Manchester City’s Elderson to hand Nigeria an unlikely lead.

Brazil would later equalise three minutes into the second half but Nigeria held on for a creditable draw.

6. Paul Onuachu vs Egypt (1-0)

Paul Onuachu scored a spectacular winner as Nigeria defeated Egypt 1-0 to start their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Cup on a positive note at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

The Super Eagles made a flying start right from kick-off, with Onuachu grabbing his first Nigeria goal in spectacular fashion after 10 seconds of play.

After the customary kick-off routine, the ball was shifted to John Ogu who made a searching pass to Onuachu. The lanky striker reacted quickly, leaving an Egypt defender chasing his shadow, before smashing a half-volley past Mahmoud Gennesh from the edge of the area.

5. Peter Osaze vs Bosnia (1-0)

Nigeria won just one match at the 2014 World Cup with that victory coming against European side, Bosnia-Herzegovina in a Group F encounter.

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal to give Nigeria a victory that knocked out World Cup debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Knowing they needed a win to stay in their first World Cup finals, Bosnia attacked from the start but were vulnerable in defence, with Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi and Michael Babatunde all squandering early chances for Nigeria.

The all-important goal came just seven minutes after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside.

The Super Eagles made the most of the let-off as Emmanuel Emenike powered past Emir Spahic on the right before finding Odemwingie, who shot through the legs of his Stoke team-mate Asmir Begovic to score and earn Nigeria’s first win at a World Cup finals since 1998.

4. Odion Ighalo vs Cameroon (3-2, 2nd goal)

Ighalo makes a grand entry into this top list with his fine strike when Nigeria defeated defending champions Cameroon 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 fixture at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

It was no 50-yard strike to the top corner but a fine team move that the former Watford striker applied the finishing touch to.

Having already seen his opening goal cancelled by the Lions with Nigeria then trailing after conceding a second, Ighalo struck to level proceedings against a formidable foe.

A decent cross from the right-wing was cushioned by Ahmed Musa’s broad chest into the path of Ighalo who turned the ball home smartly with his first touch.

3. Sunday Mba vs Ivory Coast (2-1, 2nd goal)

The name of Sunday Mba is forever etched in the history of Nigeria football largely due to two crucial goals he got for the Super Eagles in the year 2013. The first was the winning goal against a Didier Drogba-inspired Ivory Coast.

Emmanuel Emenike had opened the scoring for Nigeria with a long-range shot – a strong contender to make this list – in the 43rd minute and Cheik Tioté had equalised in the 50th with a header from a Drogba’s free-kick.

Then Sunday Mba happened.

The home-based star went on a mazy run before smashing a fierce shot from outside the area into the top corner to help Nigeria beat the tournament favourites Ivory Coast 2-1 and reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

2. Ahmed Musa vs Iceland (2-0, 2nd goal)

Having scored one of the goals of the tournament against the same opponent earlier, Ahmed Musa scored an even better goal to become his country’s all-time top scorer in World Cup games with four goals.

Musa’s first strike had hurt Iceland and pulled the Europeans out of their shell as they desperately sought for the equalizer.

But they were caught napping ten minutes to time when the man of the match, Musa, ran past an opposing defender into the box, rounded the keeper and waited for the perfect moment to strike into the back of the net.

1. Sunday Mba vs Burkina Faso (1-0)

This was the second of Sunday Mba’s landmark double of 2013.

Having scored a magnificent winner that knocked out Didier Drogba and co in the quarterfinals, the midfielder then popped up again with another winning strike in the final to help Nigeria claim her third African Cup of Nations title.

The Super Eagles were dominant against a Burkina Faso side playing in their first ever AFCON final match and Stephen Keshi’s men eventually made the breakthrough just before half-time when Mba sweetly clipped the ball over Mohamed Koffi with his right foot and then volleyed into the far corner with his left.

And the Super Eagles were African champions once again.

The 30-year-old has not played competitive football since leaving Turkish side Sivasspor in 2017. Mba who also had stints with French club, Bastia says he is on the lookout for a club.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Mba confirmed he’s managed to stay in shape in the past two years despite not playing club or international football.

‪”As a free agent things are not really that easy, but you can only be hopeful,” he said.

‪”My desire is to get back into club football and I am working hard to start playing again.‪ Football is everything I have and I cannot just give up. I believe there’s something out there for me.”

‪”First you’d need the luck to find someone that believes in you and ready to give you a chance,” he said.‬

‪”I’ve continued to stay in shape, train daily and be physically ready for any opportunity.‬ I still have something to give and will continue to stay mentally and physically ready.”‬

Mba played a major role in Super Eagles AFCON success in 2013, scoring the winner in the final against Burkina Faso. However, since the 2013 Confederations Cup, his career has stalled.