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AFCON: The 8-times the Super Eagles embraced Bronze medal
At the 2024 AFCON tournament, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to win their 4th title in the competition.
As at the time of this composition, the Super Eagles, which is the representative of the senior menās national football team has appeared at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament 20 times.
They first appeared in the tournament in 1963, however, it wasnāt until 1980 before they finally made fellow citizens of the most populated black nation smile. In 1980, they won the title in grand style winning the cup on home soul at the National stadium located in Surulere, Lagos state.
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It was the first of three.
Though the aim and objective is to grab gold (dolph my hat for the Super Falcons of Nigeria), Nigeriaās forte is usually the bronze medal. Simply put, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have found methodologies to finish in 3rd place.
In twenty different editions that the super Eagles have appeared, they have found means to win the silver medal (finish in second place) on four various occasions, as for the bronze medal, they have clinched it eight times, a record.
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Now, let us see how they methodically hacked the 3rd position in AFCON.
- 1976
The competition was hosted by Ethiopia, however, it was the Atlas Lions of Morocco who won the competition.
The field of eight teams was still split into two groups of four, but a final stage was introduced with the top two finishers of each of the first stage groups. Morocco won its first championship by topping the final group. Guinea finished second, while Nigeria took third.
- 1978
The tournament was hosted in Ghana, a neighboring country to Nigeria. As at the time Nigeria finished third for a second time, the Black Stars of Ghana already grabbed their third AFCON crown.
- 1992
In 1992, the Super Eagles of Nigeria had a new generation of ballers. Super stars such as Rashidi Yekini, Samson Siasia, Ike Shoronmu with Dutch coach, Clemens Westerhorf at the helm of affairs for the representatives of the most populated black nation as they bullied their way through the competition- it was until the semifinals where the lost 2-1 to the Black Stars of Ghana in a grudge match.
They defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-1 in the third place off match.
Super Eagles Bags A Hattrick of 3rd Place Finish
From 2002-2006, a team spearheaded by sensational superstars such as Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Julius Aghahowa, and Vincent Enyeama finished in 3rd place.
Interestingly, this generation had the pedigree to win the contest, however, they just usually always fall short in the semi-finals.
- 2002
After winning a group that consisted of the host, Mali and Algeria, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated their rivals, Black Stars of Ghana 1-0 in a fiercely-contested quarterfinal encounter.
Nigeria lost 2-1 to eventual runner up Senegal in the semi-finals.
A goal from Yakubu Aigbeni was enough to grab a 4th bronze medal in the competition.
- 2004
After losing 1-0 to Morocco on the opening day, Super Eagles bounced back to with back-to-back wins against South Africa and Benin Republic to finish in second place.
A comeback against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the quarterfinals remains one of Super Eagles finest performances at the AFCON tournament in recent times. Goals from Jay Jay Okocha and John Utaka saw the Super Eagles progress to the semis.
In the semifinals against the host, Tunisia, Nigeria lost 5-3 on penalties.
- 2006
The Pharaohs of Egypt hosted and won the 2006 tournament. At the time, their 5th title.
In this tournament, the Super Eagles qualified with nine maximum points- defeating rivals, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Senegal to finish at the zenith of the group.
After a tense quarterfinal clash against Tunisia, they won 6-5 on penalties, avenging their loss from two years ago.
Didier Drogbaās goal was enough to help Ivory Coast pick up a 1-0 win against the Super Eagles in the semis.
Nigeria defeated Senegal 1-0 to win a 6th bronze medal title.
Nigeriaās Performance In The 2010s
In the 2010s, the Super Eagles were among the final four contestants on three different occasions. Despite wining the AFCON tournament in 2013 for a third time, they failed to qualify for three editions in the decade- 2012 , 2015 (they were defending champions), and 2017.
- 2010
The Super Eagles needed to bounce back from an opening day defeat against Egypt to defeat Benin and Mozambique to reach the next round.
They defeated Zambia 5-4 on penalties in the quarterfinals.
In a grudge match against Ghana, the Super Eagles lost 1-0 before going on to pick up the bronze medal against Algeria in the third place game.
- 2019
After failing to defend their title in the 2015 edition and not qualifying for the 2017 tournament, the Super Eagles returned in 2019 to clinch their favorite 3rd position.
It would be interesting to see where this finish in the latest edition. Check out more African Cup of Nation (AFCON) stories on News Round The Clock.
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