Nigeria’s Super Eagles have given fans unforgettable highs, but in the last decade, the lows have been just as dramatic.
Here are five moments when the Super Eagles truly shocked Nigerians.
- 2012 AFCON Qualification Failure
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing behind Guinea in their qualifying group. A 2–2 draw in Abuja, when they needed a win to advance to confirmed their elimination.
Nigeria were continental heavyweights and expected to qualify comfortably. Failing to reach the tournament at all went against expectations and marked an unusual downturn for the team.
- 2015 AFCON Qualification Failure as Defending Champions
Despite winning the 2013 AFCON, Nigeria did not qualify for the 2015 edition. Key results included a 2–2 draw with South Africa and a 1–0 loss to Sudan, which prevented them from finishing in a qualifying position.
As reigning African champions, Nigeria were expected to return and defend their title. Instead, they missed the tournament entirely, making this one of the most unexpected setbacks in Nigeria football history.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff Loss to Ghana
Nigeria faced Ghana in the final round of playoffs. The first leg ended 0–0 in Kumasi. The second leg in Abuja finished 1–1, and Ghana advanced on the away-goals rule.
Nigeria were strong favourites. They had a better squad, had dominated the group stage, and were playing the decisive match at home. Ghana, meanwhile, had recently changed coaches, were struggling for form, and had stadium approval issues leading up to the match. Despite these advantages, Nigeria could not secure qualification. The result led to chaos in the Abuja stadium, with fans invading the pitch and vandalizing facilities.
- 2023 AFCON Final Defeat
Nigeria reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They lost 2–1 to Ivory Coast.
It came as a shock to fans because after a solid run to the final, Nigeria were expected by many to close out the tournament. Losing at the final hurdle added to the growing pattern of falling short when it mattered most.
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification and Playoff Exit
Nigeria failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup after finishing behind South Africa. They entered the playoffs, drew 1–1 with DR Congo after extra time, and lost in the penalty shootout.
This was shocking because Nigeria went through four different coaches during the qualifiers. José Peseiro, Finidi George, and Augustine Eguavoen all took charge at various points. The Super Eagles managed to collect only two points from a possible six from their opening two matches. The poor start triggered multiple coaching changes, eventually leading to the appointment of Eric Chelle in a bid to rescue the campaign.
In the same group, South Africa had three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player, a situation that gave Nigeria an advantage. Despite this, Nigeria still failed to finish above them and ended with only 18 points, forcing them into the playoffs.
Their eventual playoff loss capped off a qualifying campaign defined by missed opportunities.
In a nutshell, between 2012 and 2026, the Super Eagles recorded several unexpected setbacks, each one amplified by the context surrounding it. These moments reflect a period marked by instability, inconsistent performances, and missed opportunities for a team widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest.
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