How Did Nigeria's Super Eagles Get Their Name? – Goalpedia

 

The three-time African kings without doubt are one of the strong forces in African football, but when and how did they get their nickname?

Mention the big teams in African football and Nigeria would not be left out. Since their first international game on October 8, 1949 – where they silenced Sierra Leone in Freetown courtesy of Teslim Balogun’s strike and an own goal from Ashman – the West African country has grown in leaps and bounds.

Although they scrabbled in their maiden African Cup of Nations campaign – losing 6-3 in their first game to the United Arab Republic (now Egypt) before ending their Ghana 1963 expedition in sixth place, Nigeria have gone ahead to rule the continent thrice, finishing as runners-up on four occasions, and settling for bronze for a record eight times.

On the bigger scene, they have featured in six Fifa World Cups – with a Round of 16 finish at 1994 (USA), 1998 (France), and 2014 (Brazil) editions their best results at the global football showpiece.

Like many had suggested, the success of the country first handled by Englishman Jack Finch can be attributed to the choice of their nickname ‘Super Eagles’.