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Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? - Sports (5) - Nairaland

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Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by wiseone28: 9:18pm On Aug 06, 2022
osazsky:
city lost to spurs who played a ucl final 2 season ago not a relegated Fulham team with secondary sch players always try to be relative when agueing thanks
So Fulham that got promoted from Championship are secondary school players?


Face your club and leave Liverpool alone.


If you play bet please avoid them in your ticket.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by osazsky(m): 9:22pm On Aug 06, 2022
wiseone28:
So Fulham that got promoted from Championship are secondary school players?


Face your club and leave Liverpool alone.


If you play bet please avoid them in your ticket.

just imagine liverpool drawing with someone that has never finished 14th in d history of epl and liverpools keeper is 80m..I doubt if Fulham is worth 80m..yes Fulham is d best team in the world they will win d ucl are u ok now
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by wiseone28: 9:27pm On Aug 06, 2022
osazsky:
just imagine liverpool drawing with someone that has never finished 14th in d history of epl and liverpools keeper is 80m..I doubt if Fulham is worth 80m..yes Fulham is d best team in the world they will win d ucl are u ok now
We are happy with the draw.



YNWA
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by DaRuud(m): 9:30pm On Aug 06, 2022
Thia hurts more than a defeat


Ubermind:
Which of these defeats was more painful for you?


By the way, Here are the top 3 Unbelievable Nigeria Football Comebacks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qa1oAcetY4

Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by ROTTWEILER007: 9:33pm On Aug 06, 2022
Ubermind:
Number Five – Nigeria Round of 16 Loss to Italy – USA ‘94 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria was 2 minutes away from reaching the quarter-finals of the world cup for the first time in our very first appearance. The 1994 team was arguably one of the best Nigerian squads at the FIFA World Cup with players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amunike and many more.

The super eagles were on fire in 1994, we had just won the nations cup three months earlier in April of that year. We were also ranked 5th in the world, seven spots above Italy ranked 13th at the time. At USA 94 World Cup, we were drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece and Bulgaria. However, the Super Eagles surpassed all expectations to top the group with 6 points, defeating Bulgaria and Greece although we lost to Argentina. Italy, on the other hand, struggled to reach the Round of 16. They finished third in their group with one win, one loss and one draw. They only qualified to the round of 16 as best third place finishers.

In the round of 16 game, Nigeria showed dominance at the start of the game. Emmanuel Amuneke had scored in the 25th minutes of the game to give Nigeria the lead against Italy. To make matters worse for the Italians, Zola was shown a straight red card for retaliating against Eguavoen and they played with ten men for the rest of the game. Nigeria was 1 nil up in the 88th minute, and it felt like we will be reaching the quarter finals. However, this wasn’t the case. Italy got the equalizer with only 2 minutes left courtesy of Roberto Baggio. Then in extra time, Italy was awarded a penalty in the hundred and second minutes, and Roberto Baggio scored to give Italy the lead and send them to the quarter finals.

We were so close, yet we could not reach the finish line. It was really painful for both the players and the fans. Many fans believe Nigeria would have gone all the way to the finals if we managed to defeat Italy. We would have met Spain in the quarter finals, then Bulgaria for the second time in the semis. Italy however went all the way to the finals before losing to the champions, Brazil 3-2 on penalties. Though I would say the loss was painful, but on the grand scheme of things, reaching the round of 16 in our very first appearance is also commendable.

Number Four – Nigeria 4-1 Loss to Denmark at the France 98 FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Four years after the 1994 heart break, many fans thought Nigeria was going to make up for it in 1998 and we started on a very good note defeating Spain (3-2) and Bulgaria (1-0) in the group stage to secure qualification to the next round before losing the final group game 3-1 to Paraguay although we still won the group.Then came the round of 16 against Denmark. Many people thought we were going to win this easily with some even looking forward to the quarter final game against Brazil. However, the fans were disappointed after the super eagles lost to Denmark 4 goals to one in the round of 16.

The loss was painful, conceding 4 goals against Denmark was a huge shock to many fans. Even one of my subscribers dropped this comment recently “The way we lost to Denmark after beating Spain at France 1998. I have never recovered from that thrashing ever since.” Many years later, Taribo West revealed that some players snuck women into camp before the game against Denmark. So basically, it means some players played two matches in the same day.

Number Three – The Jollof Derby Nigeria Loss to Ghana – 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Ghana at home. Thomas Partey had put Ghana in front early in the first half before Troost Ekong converted a penalty to keep the game levelled. However, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the crucial second goal, breaking the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans.

The first leg game in Ghana had ended in a goalless draw leaving the Ghanaians to qualify on the away goal rules. Defeat was a massive blow for many Nigerians. We lost the Jollof Derby. In fact after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the world cup, fans stormed the pitch and began destroying properties. Even though the defeat was really painful, the fans went too far on that day.

Number Two – Nigeria Loss to Tunisia – 1978 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Till date, many football-loving Nigerians are yet to forget what happened on the 12th of November 1977 during the World Cup qualifier between the then Green Eagles of Nigeria and Tunisia at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Even though I was not born then, I have heard the stories. The first leg had ended in a goalless draw in Tunis and all the Eagles needed was any margin of victory. However the game was settled in Tunisia’s favour who won 1 goal to nil courtesy of an own goal from Godwin Odiye in the 61st minute. It was a misjudged header and it ended Nigeria’s race to Argentina 1978 FIFA World Cup.

The match was watched by over 80,000 Nigerians. The team was devasted and the fans could not believe it. This would have been our first world cup qualification if things had turned out differently. The sad part is that we lost at home in Lagos to Tunisia via an own goal. For many years after this, anyone who scored an own goal was called an Odiye.

Before I get to number one, here are some honorable mentions.
Nigeria’s Loss to Angola, 2006 world cup qualifiers, Nigeria Loss to Greece at the 2010 FIFA world cup. Nigeria Vs South Korea 2010 world cup, Nigeria failure to qualify for the 2012 and 2015 African Cup of Nations after failing to defeat Guinea and South Africa Respectively, These defeats were really painful. And no, the myth of Nigeria vs India – 99 - 1 isn’t on this list.


Number One - Nigeria Loss to Cameroon – 2000 AFCON FINALS
This loss was really painful. Cameroon had beaten Nigeria in the African Nations Cup finals of 1984 and 1988 and Nigeria was determined to lift the trophy this time around on home soil. However, Cameroon started strong, scoring two goals in about 30 minutes in the first half.

Chukwu Ndukwe then scored a much needed goal for Nigeria just before half-time. Then Jay-Jay Okocha marked his return to the team after a one-match suspension with a stunning long range shot to make it 2-2 within 90 seconds of Chukwu’s goal. Nigeria, unbeaten at home for 19 years and defending an 11-match unbeaten run in the tournament, took the game to Cameroon in extra-time. Then came penalty shootouts, Cameroon won 4-3 on penalties. However, the win was controversial after Victor Ikpeba's fourth penalty for Nigeria was not awarded by the referee despite appearing to cross the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar. And that was how Cameroon lifted the trophy in Lagos yet again defeating Nigeria in the finals of the AFCON.

This loss was so painful, I remember watching this match live as a very young boy and I clearly remember the fans bitter, complaining about the loss. Though these defeats might bring back sad memories, however, we are to learn from them not feel bad about it. Failure to learn from our defeats is actually the sad thing.

Source: Top 5 Painful Defeats in Nigeria Football History - When Super Eagles Disappointed Fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcAuQEOKIfo

All of them put together is not equal to buhari's failure
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Sniper101(m): 9:33pm On Aug 06, 2022
Nothing pain me pass say the 7th Senate, led by Lawan, is yet to impeach Bubu and Bubu is still loitering about as the President of Nigeria; nothing pain me pass diswan angry

But on the other hand, nothing sweet me pass say the USD keeps appreciating over the Naira; nothing sweet me pass diswan grin
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Emperormartin(m): 9:35pm On Aug 06, 2022
IDRWFB:
Nigeria losing to Argentina in the 2018 WC was the most painful football experience I ever had. I was downcast for weeks, and to even think that all we needed was a draw, hits harder.

I was about to say this. This match was really painful as Argentina has beaten us all the 5 times we’ve met in World Cup… The match kinda cemented we can’t beat Argentina in a World Cup stage
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by paulolee(m): 9:38pm On Aug 06, 2022
Kingcalls:



I always knew u are a child...na y u go de argue with ur papa... anyone that understands football and had been watching it for decades know that its between USA 94 against Italy or Afcon 2000 against Cameroon...u de talk about match wey dem play couple of years ago wey no even reach .... Any OG will not even remember that Tunisia game ...when games like Algeria final in 1990 ...semi final game against Ghana in 1992 ...2002 Afcon against Senegal... these games I mentioned, Nigeria had the team and fame play and deserved to win ...u de mention that dismantled 2019 team
see.me see wahala o..i de tell u defeat wey pain me bcoz I lose cash u u de mention history gv me..all those were painful n I saw them all bt none pain me enter body pass dt one bcoz i lost cash...
this wan na aguement again??
wat if I said my most painful match is dt Chelsea win against city in UCL final bcoz i lost huge cash, e mean say them jus born me?? people dey reason o...
keep dis ur strength for Brighton tomorrow....u go need am to defend ur goat after d game..
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by DaRuud(m): 9:39pm On Aug 06, 2022
This hurts too .

By now $1= #1


ntyce:
The 94 loss to Italy really hurts.
We were this close.

Italy finally getting to the final made it more painful.
I was like, it could be Us.

Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Ajibade123(m): 9:45pm On Aug 06, 2022
paulolee:
all were painful bt personally None pain me pass dt algeria 1-0 for afcon wey mahrez score last minute free kick.
e pain me bcoz one guy jus use mind say mahrez go score n call 20k, I stand opposed n we both set our fones bcoz cash no de at hand..
mahrez score n i shock, e be asif na magic..
I ask am how e take dey dt sure, e say e jus talk am, as I.opposed n people attack am, e jus bet mk e no b asif e fall.e bea hands say e no get mind..
na so I go start to de find 20k cash d next morning because of dt mumu akpeyi...
generally my painful match Is dt Chelsea vs city ucl final dt Chelsea won, i lost huge cash n still never forgive pep n city 4 dt heartbreak BT DTS life..
honestly this is one of my most painful moment as a football fan
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by PastorFire: 9:49pm On Aug 06, 2022
You forgot Nigeria Vs. Angola Playoffs at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano when we were to qualify for Germany 2006 but didn't. That game still hurts til today.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by paulolee(m): 9:55pm On Aug 06, 2022
Vinnie2000:


Honestly, You are right about dis PAULOLEE guy.

Imagine Mentioning Algeria vs Nigeria in 2019 AFCON as a Painful defeat

It's Just Like a Chelsea Fan calling the 2020 FA Cup Defeat to Arsenal as His most Painful defeat. undecided

I used the word "personally" n even gave reasons why it pained me which was bcoz i staked n lost in split seconds, bt you and dt moniker u quoted still choose to assume..
I also said city lost to chelsea in ucl final was my worst ever football game bcoz I lost d most, it means I was born around 2010 abi??
una opinion no mater sha
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Lawalemi(m): 10:03pm On Aug 06, 2022
USA "94. Nigeria loss to Italy.

I didn't eat that night and I've become strong with defeat ever since.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by IworoAjido(m): 10:46pm On Aug 06, 2022
Ubermind:
Number Five – Nigeria Round of 16 Loss to Italy – USA ‘94 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria was 2 minutes away from reaching the quarter-finals of the world cup for the first time in our very first appearance. The 1994 team was arguably one of the best Nigerian squads at the FIFA World Cup with players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amunike and many more.Nigeria Italy USA94

The super eagles were on fire in 1994, we had just won the nations cup three months earlier in April of that year. We were also ranked 5th in the world, seven spots above Italy ranked 13th at the time. At USA 94 World Cup, we were drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece and Bulgaria. However, the Super Eagles surpassed all expectations to top the group with 6 points, defeating Bulgaria and Greece although we lost to Argentina. Italy, on the other hand, struggled to reach the Round of 16. They finished third in their group with one win, one loss and one draw. They only qualified to the round of 16 as best third place finishers.

In the round of 16 game, Nigeria showed dominance at the start of the game. Emmanuel Amuneke had scored in the 25th minutes of the game to give Nigeria the lead against Italy. To make matters worse for the Italians, Zola was shown a straight red card for retaliating against Eguavoen and they played with ten men for the rest of the game. Nigeria was 1 nil up in the 88th minute, and it felt like we will be reaching the quarter finals. However, this wasn’t the case. Italy got the equalizer with only 2 minutes left courtesy of Roberto Baggio. Then in extra time, Italy was awarded a penalty in the hundred and second minutes, and Roberto Baggio scored to give Italy the lead and send them to the quarter finals.

We were so close, yet we could not reach the finish line. It was really painful for both the players and the fans. Many fans believe Nigeria would have gone all the way to the finals if we managed to defeat Italy. We would have met Spain in the quarter finals, then Bulgaria for the second time in the semis. Italy however went all the way to the finals before losing to the champions, Brazil 3-2 on penalties. Though I would say the loss was painful, but on the grand scheme of things, reaching the round of 16 in our very first appearance is also commendable.

Number Four – Nigeria 4-1 Loss to Denmark at the France 98 FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Four years after the 1994 heart break, many fans thought Nigeria was going to make up for it in 1998 and we started on a very good note defeating Spain (3-2) and Bulgaria (1-0) in the group stage to secure qualification to the next round before losing the final group game 3-1 to Paraguay although we still won the group.Then came the round of 16 against Denmark. Many people thought we were going to win this easily with some even looking forward to the quarter final game against Brazil. However, the fans were disappointed after the super eagles lost to Denmark 4 goals to one in the round of 16.

The loss was painful, conceding 4 goals against Denmark was a huge shock to many fans. Even one of my subscribers dropped this comment recently “The way we lost to Denmark after beating Spain at France 1998. I have never recovered from that thrashing ever since.” Many years later, Taribo West revealed that some players snuck women into camp before the game against Denmark. So basically, it means some players played two matches in the same day.

Number Three – The Jollof Derby Nigeria Loss to Ghana – 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Ghana at home. Thomas Partey had put Ghana in front early in the first half before Troost Ekong converted a penalty to keep the game levelled. However, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the crucial second goal, breaking the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans.

The first leg game in Ghana had ended in a goalless draw leaving the Ghanaians to qualify on the away goal rules. Defeat was a massive blow for many Nigerians. We lost the Jollof Derby. In fact after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the world cup, fans stormed the pitch and began destroying properties. Even though the defeat was really painful, the fans went too far on that day.

Number Two – Nigeria Loss to Tunisia – 1978 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Till date, many football-loving Nigerians are yet to forget what happened on the 12th of November 1977 during the World Cup qualifier between the then Green Eagles of Nigeria and Tunisia at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Even though I was not born then, I have heard the stories. The first leg had ended in a goalless draw in Tunis and all the Eagles needed was any margin of victory. However the game was settled in Tunisia’s favour who won 1 goal to nil courtesy of an own goal from Godwin Odiye in the 61st minute. It was a misjudged header and it ended Nigeria’s race to Argentina 1978 FIFA World Cup.

The match was watched by over 80,000 Nigerians. The team was devasted and the fans could not believe it. This would have been our first world cup qualification if things had turned out differently. The sad part is that we lost at home in Lagos to Tunisia via an own goal. For many years after this, anyone who scored an own goal was called an Odiye.

Before I get to number one, here are some honorable mentions.
Nigeria’s Loss to Angola, 2006 world cup qualifiers, Nigeria Loss to Greece at the 2010 FIFA world cup. Nigeria Vs South Korea 2010 world cup, Nigeria failure to qualify for the 2012 and 2015 African Cup of Nations after failing to defeat Guinea and South Africa Respectively, These defeats were really painful. And no, the myth of Nigeria vs India – 99 - 1 isn’t on this list.


Number One - Nigeria Loss to Cameroon – 2000 AFCON FINALS
This loss was really painful. Cameroon had beaten Nigeria in the African Nations Cup finals of 1984 and 1988 and Nigeria was determined to lift the trophy this time around on home soil. However, Cameroon started strong, scoring two goals in about 30 minutes in the first half.

Chukwu Ndukwe then scored a much needed goal for Nigeria just before half-time. Then Jay-Jay Okocha marked his return to the team after a one-match suspension with a stunning long range shot to make it 2-2 within 90 seconds of Chukwu’s goal. Nigeria, unbeaten at home for 19 years and defending an 11-match unbeaten run in the tournament, took the game to Cameroon in extra-time. Then came penalty shootouts, Cameroon won 4-3 on penalties. However, the win was controversial after Victor Ikpeba's fourth penalty for Nigeria was not awarded by the referee despite appearing to cross the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar. And that was how Cameroon lifted the trophy in Lagos yet again defeating Nigeria in the finals of the AFCON.

This loss was so painful, I remember watching this match live as a very young boy and I clearly remember the fans bitter, complaining about the loss. Though these defeats might bring back sad memories, however, we are to learn from them not feel bad about it. Failure to learn from our defeats is actually the sad thing.

Source: Top 5 Painful Defeats in Nigeria Football History - When Super Eagles Disappointed Fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcAuQEOKIfo

Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Kaycee9242(m): 10:47pm On Aug 06, 2022
musterseeds:
I would say Nigeria vs Denmark, was really painful for me


That should be 99 right?
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Mryacks: 11:11pm On Aug 06, 2022
The loss against Denmark @ France 98 was embarrassingly painful!

We were clearly the favorites going into that game..alas, we overlooked them and fixed our eyes on a potential match up with Brazil. Shame
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by dyomo(m): 11:55pm On Aug 06, 2022
The round of 16 loss to Italy remains the most painful for me. Coming a close 2nd is the 2000 AFCON final loss to Cameroon

1 Like

Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Omoslim26: 12:10am On Aug 07, 2022
No game fit ever pain pass 1994 own against Italy angry
Na that one be the real heart breaker.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Omoslim26: 12:11am On Aug 07, 2022
No game fit ever pain pass 1994 own against Italy. angry
Na that one be the real heart breaker.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by TOPCRUISE(m): 12:54am On Aug 07, 2022
Nigeria vs Italy. Italy were down by one man but we began to play selfishly and carelessly. We were entertaining crowd by dribbling instead of playing out the ball. That cost us.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by zedman1(m): 4:01am On Aug 07, 2022
US 94 hit me hard, it's like I cried sef. As for that Denmark 4 - 1 Nig, the only thing that got me angry was because I had severe fever then, yet I struggled to watch that match but what was the outcome? The game no pain me, na my body hear am. The others pain too sha, like that Cameroon loss wey Ikpeba put hand for head even before the referee decided, but again, that US 94 pain me pass.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by zedman1(m): 4:04am On Aug 07, 2022
Kaycee9242:


That should be 99 right?
France, 98.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Karmaisme(m): 4:08am On Aug 07, 2022
IDRWFB:
Nigeria losing to Argentina in the 2018 WC was the most painful football experience I ever had. I was downcast for weeks, and to even think that all we needed was a draw, hits harder.



Courtesy of this muntula.

Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by ObiaboAdoka(m): 4:44am On Aug 07, 2022
FatherBona:
That Cameroon loss in 2000 final is one I wished I never watched.

I still remember that ikpeba penalty like never before
My bro, the ball cross the goal line. Since there was nothing like VAR then the referee said the ball didn't cross the goal line. The referee is human and he is bound to make mistake.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by Amadaz(m): 5:12am On Aug 07, 2022
Olanwafriday:
Cameroon for sure, though defeat to Denmark was also painful. sad
Peter rufai was to be held responsible for that loss. He messed up completely
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by spiritedtete: 5:34am On Aug 07, 2022
USA '94 was the first and the last time I will cry for a loss in football.. I cried too much...
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by seunmsg(m): 5:35am On Aug 07, 2022
AFCON 2000 final against Cameroon.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by femeritus: 6:42am On Aug 07, 2022
The most painful for me was USA 94 Round of 16 game with Italy. Imagine if we had beaten Italy in that match, we would have created a record for all African teams by at least getting to the Semi's if not even the finals. The Super Eagles were voted as 3rd best entertaining team at the tournament. With the love I had for our national team then, I refused to eat that night but since the Super Eagles started wobbling and fumbling, I no longer feel anything if they lose. Till date, we haven't gone past the round of 16 whereas countries like Ghana, Guinea qualified for the Quarter finals at first appearance. Cameroun and Senegal, if I'm not mistaken have also made the QF. The quality in Nigerian team has gone to the dogs.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by femeritus: 6:42am On Aug 07, 2022
spiritedtete:
USA '94 was the first and the last time I will cry for a loss in football.. I cried too much...

Same here.
Re: Top 5 Painful Defeats In Nigeria Football History - Which was more painful? by femi4: 7:10am On Aug 07, 2022
Ubermind:
Number Five – Nigeria Round of 16 Loss to Italy – USA ‘94 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria was 2 minutes away from reaching the quarter-finals of the world cup for the first time in our very first appearance. The 1994 team was arguably one of the best Nigerian squads at the FIFA World Cup with players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amunike and many more.

The super eagles were on fire in 1994, we had just won the nations cup three months earlier in April of that year. We were also ranked 5th in the world, seven spots above Italy ranked 13th at the time. At USA 94 World Cup, we were drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece and Bulgaria. However, the Super Eagles surpassed all expectations to top the group with 6 points, defeating Bulgaria and Greece although we lost to Argentina. Italy, on the other hand, struggled to reach the Round of 16. They finished third in their group with one win, one loss and one draw. They only qualified to the round of 16 as best third place finishers.

In the round of 16 game, Nigeria showed dominance at the start of the game. Emmanuel Amuneke had scored in the 25th minutes of the game to give Nigeria the lead against Italy. To make matters worse for the Italians, Zola was shown a straight red card for retaliating against Eguavoen and they played with ten men for the rest of the game. Nigeria was 1 nil up in the 88th minute, and it felt like we will be reaching the quarter finals. However, this wasn’t the case. Italy got the equalizer with only 2 minutes left courtesy of Roberto Baggio. Then in extra time, Italy was awarded a penalty in the hundred and second minutes, and Roberto Baggio scored to give Italy the lead and send them to the quarter finals.

We were so close, yet we could not reach the finish line. It was really painful for both the players and the fans. Many fans believe Nigeria would have gone all the way to the finals if we managed to defeat Italy. We would have met Spain in the quarter finals, then Bulgaria for the second time in the semis. Italy however went all the way to the finals before losing to the champions, Brazil 3-2 on penalties. Though I would say the loss was painful, but on the grand scheme of things, reaching the round of 16 in our very first appearance is also commendable.

Number Four – Nigeria 4-1 Loss to Denmark at the France 98 FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Four years after the 1994 heart break, many fans thought Nigeria was going to make up for it in 1998 and we started on a very good note defeating Spain (3-2) and Bulgaria (1-0) in the group stage to secure qualification to the next round before losing the final group game 3-1 to Paraguay although we still won the group.Then came the round of 16 against Denmark. Many people thought we were going to win this easily with some even looking forward to the quarter final game against Brazil. However, the fans were disappointed after the super eagles lost to Denmark 4 goals to one in the round of 16.

The loss was painful, conceding 4 goals against Denmark was a huge shock to many fans. Even one of my subscribers dropped this comment recently “The way we lost to Denmark after beating Spain at France 1998. I have never recovered from that thrashing ever since.” Many years later, Taribo West revealed that some players snuck women into camp before the game against Denmark. So basically, it means some players played two matches in the same day.

Number Three – The Jollof Derby Nigeria Loss to Ghana – 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Ghana at home. Thomas Partey had put Ghana in front early in the first half before Troost Ekong converted a penalty to keep the game levelled. However, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the crucial second goal, breaking the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans.

The first leg game in Ghana had ended in a goalless draw leaving the Ghanaians to qualify on the away goal rules. Defeat was a massive blow for many Nigerians. We lost the Jollof Derby. In fact after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the world cup, fans stormed the pitch and began destroying properties. Even though the defeat was really painful, the fans went too far on that day.

Number Two – Nigeria Loss to Tunisia – 1978 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Till date, many football-loving Nigerians are yet to forget what happened on the 12th of November 1977 during the World Cup qualifier between the then Green Eagles of Nigeria and Tunisia at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Even though I was not born then, I have heard the stories. The first leg had ended in a goalless draw in Tunis and all the Eagles needed was any margin of victory. However the game was settled in Tunisia’s favour who won 1 goal to nil courtesy of an own goal from Godwin Odiye in the 61st minute. It was a misjudged header and it ended Nigeria’s race to Argentina 1978 FIFA World Cup.

The match was watched by over 80,000 Nigerians. The team was devasted and the fans could not believe it. This would have been our first world cup qualification if things had turned out differently. The sad part is that we lost at home in Lagos to Tunisia via an own goal. For many years after this, anyone who scored an own goal was called an Odiye.

Before I get to number one, here are some honorable mentions.
Nigeria’s Loss to Angola, 2006 world cup qualifiers, Nigeria Loss to Greece at the 2010 FIFA world cup. Nigeria Vs South Korea 2010 world cup, Nigeria failure to qualify for the 2012 and 2015 African Cup of Nations after failing to defeat Guinea and South Africa Respectively, These defeats were really painful. And no, the myth of Nigeria vs India – 99 - 1 isn’t on this list.


Number One - Nigeria Loss to Cameroon – 2000 AFCON FINALS
This loss was really painful. Cameroon had beaten Nigeria in the African Nations Cup finals of 1984 and 1988 and Nigeria was determined to lift the trophy this time around on home soil. However, Cameroon started strong, scoring two goals in about 30 minutes in the first half.

Chukwu Ndukwe then scored a much needed goal for Nigeria just before half-time. Then Jay-Jay Okocha marked his return to the team after a one-match suspension with a stunning long range shot to make it 2-2 within 90 seconds of Chukwu’s goal. Nigeria, unbeaten at home for 19 years and defending an 11-match unbeaten run in the tournament, took the game to Cameroon in extra-time. Then came penalty shootouts, Cameroon won 4-3 on penalties. However, the win was controversial after Victor Ikpeba's fourth penalty for Nigeria was not awarded by the referee despite appearing to cross the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar. And that was how Cameroon lifted the trophy in Lagos yet again defeating Nigeria in the finals of the AFCON.

This loss was so painful, I remember watching this match live as a very young boy and I clearly remember the fans bitter, complaining about the loss. Though these defeats might bring back sad memories, however, we are to learn from them not feel bad about it. Failure to learn from our defeats is actually the sad thing.

Source: Top 5 Painful Defeats in Nigeria Football History - When Super Eagles Disappointed Fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcAuQEOKIfo

2000
I and Oliseh wept uncontrollably in National Stadium surulere. Painful cos it was more like last tournament for most of the 94 sets

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