Nigerian football had many reasons to celebrate in 2013 – from a fifth World Cup qualification to Vincent Enyeama’s goalkeeping exploits in France.
5. CHAN here we come…at last!
After two previous failed attempts, Nigeria finally qualified to play in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2014 in South Africa. Nigeria secured the berth under Stephen Keshi as they beat Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 on aggregate.
4. Enyeama The Unbeatable
For a country better known for their strikers, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama broke the trend when he came close to beating the all-time unbeaten run by a goalkeeper in the French Ligue 1 as he went 1062 minutes without letting in a goal for title-chasing Lille.
Enyeama did not concede a goal until a Week 17 tie against Bordeaux, when Cameroon’s Landry Nguemo’s goal-bound shot was deflected in by Simon Kjaer in the 26th minute.
3. Golden Eaglets set new World Cup record
The country’s U-17 team under the tutelage of Manu Garba became the most successful team in the world when they won a fourth World Cup by beating defending champions Mexico 3-0 in the championship game.
They also scored the highest number of goals by any team at the championship, while Kelechi Iheanacho was voted the MVP of the tournament and Dele Alampasu was the best goalkeeper.
Nigeria’s other U-17 World Cup triumphs were in China 1985, Japan in 1993 and Korea in 2007.
2.Eagles champions again after 19 years!
Nigeria against all odds won their third African Cup of Nations trophy in February in South Africa after a 19-year-old wait.
Coach Keshi won the trophy by among other things putting his trust in several home-based players in an era where foreign-based professionals have dominated most African teams.
After they laboured through a first round group that included defending champions Zambia, they upset favourites Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the quarterfinals, before they pipped surprise package Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
Emmanuel Emenike was top scorer with four goals, while the likes of Victor Moses, Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Mba, Ogenyi Onazi and Kenneth Omeruo shone on the big stage.
1.Eagles fly all the way to Brazil
Nigeria secured a fifth World Cup ticket in November, when they beat Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in a final play-off to crown a most satisfying 2013 for 180 million Nigerians.
The Eagles topped Group F of the qualifiers which comprised Malawi, Kenya and Namibia, before they reached the knockout play-offs against Ethiopia.
