World Cup
As Africa Shines at World Cup, Super Eagles Mark 77th Anniversary in Absentia
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
As African teams continue to make headlines at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 by securing places in the knockout stage, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are watching from afar.
It is a painful contrast for a nation that once carried Africa’s hopes at the World Cup and whose national team should have had its 77th anniversary this weekend.
While Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and South Africa have all captured global attention with impressive performances in the expanded 48-team tournament, Nigeria remains one of the notable absentees from football’s biggest stage.
The timing is particularly poignant.
This weekend marked 77 years since the formation of Nigeria’s first national football team, the foundation upon which the modern Super Eagles were built.
On June 26, 1949, the then Nigeria Football Association announced the first-ever squad assembled to represent the country internationally, giving birth to what would eventually become one of Africa’s most celebrated football institutions.
Yet as the anniversary passed, Nigerian football fans were left reflecting on what might have been had the Super Eagles successfully navigated the qualification series for the World Cup being jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Africa Flying High
The absence of Nigeria has become even more glaring because of the performances of fellow African nations.
Morocco, Africa’s standard-bearers since their historic semi-final appearance at Qatar 2022, have once again advanced to the knockout rounds after an impressive campaign.
Egypt, inspired by Mohamed Salah but increasingly reliant on a broader supporting cast, reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in their history.
Senegal created history by becoming the first African team to score five goals in a World Cup match, while Côte d’Ivoire secured a maiden appearance in the knockout stage.
Perhaps the biggest fairy tale belongs to Cape Verde, the tiny island nation that progressed from the group stage in its first-ever World Cup appearance.
South Africa have also carried the continent’s flag proudly and are preparing for a Round of 32 encounter with co-hosts Canada.
For many Nigerian supporters, the success of these nations serves as both inspiration and frustration.
From Pioneers to Continental Powerhouse
The irony is that Nigeria’s national team was born from ambition and vision.
Following a series of selection matches involving players from different regions of the country, the NFA Selection Committee on June 26, 1949 unveiled the first 17 players chosen to represent Nigeria internationally.
Five days later, an 18th player was added.
The squad included pioneering figures such as Sam Ibiam, Dan Anyiam, Tesilimi Balogun, Titus Okere, Etim Henshaw, Peter Anieke and Sokari Dokubo.
Initially known as the “International Group” and later the “UK Tourists,” the team was assembled for a historic goodwill tour of the United Kingdom in August 1949.
Captain Donald H. Holley, then chairman of the NFA, managed the squad, while debates over team selection and captaincy generated public interest long before the team embarked on its journey.
Those pioneers laid the foundation for what would become one of Africa’s most successful national teams.
Over the years, the team evolved from the UK Tourists to the Red Devils, then the Green Eagles and eventually the Super Eagles.
The national team went on to win three Africa Cup of Nations titles, claim Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 and qualify for six FIFA World Cups between 1994 and 2018.
A Date of Mixed Memories
The anniversary also coincides with one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s World Cup history.
June 28 brings back memories of the Super Eagles’ disastrous 4-1 defeat by Denmark in the Round of 16 at France ’98, widely regarded as the team’s worst performance at a World Cup finals.
Yet there have been brighter moments attached to the same period.
On June 26, 2019, exactly 70 years after the announcement of Nigeria’s first national team squad, the Super Eagles defeated Guinea 1-0 in Egypt to become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Today, however, the conversation revolves around absence rather than achievement.
Looking Ahead
As the Super Eagles celebrate 77 years of existence, the anniversary serves as both a celebration of a proud history and a reminder of unfinished business.
The team that emerged from a list of 17 names announced in 1949 grew into Nigeria’s most powerful sporting symbol and one of Africa’s most recognisable football brands.
But with African rivals flourishing on the World Cup stage and rewriting records in North America, many Nigerian football followers are asking when the Super Eagles will once again take their place among the continent’s elite on football’s grandest platform.
Seventy-seven years after the birth of the national team, the challenge remains the same: ensuring that Nigeria’s rich football heritage is matched by consistent success on the global stage
Nigeria National Football Team timeline
- 1949 – June 26th, UK Tourists, Nigeria’s pioneer national team, was formed.
- 1949 – October 8th, Nigeria’s first international match, a 2-0 defeat of Sierra Leone in Freetown
- 1951 – October 20th, Nigeria’s first cup victory, a 5-0 defeat of Gold Coast (Ghana) in the Jalco Cup
- 1973 – January 18th, Nigeria beat Guinea 2-0 to win the gold medal of the 2nd All Africa Games in Lagos: Nigerian football’s first continental achievement.
- 1980 – March 22nd: Nigeria’s first AFCON title
- 1993 –October 8th: On the 44th anniversary of Nigeria’s first international match, the Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup for the first time.
- 1994- June 21st: Nigeria made a winning debut in the World Cup by beating Bulgaria 3-0 in their opening match.
- 1996 – August 3: Nigeria became the first team outside Europe in 68 years to win the Olympic soccer Gold
- 2018 – June 26th: Last World Cup appearance, a 2-1 loss to Argentina
- 2022– March 29th: Nigeria failed in World Cup 2022 qualification
- 2025 – November 16th: Nigeria failed in World Cup 2026 qualification
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
World Cup
VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
This Wednesday, 8 July, it will be 36 years since 10-World Cup-capped journalist, Kunle Solaja, watched his first World Cup final match at the imposing Stadio Olimpico in Rome when the then West Germany beat defending champion, 1-0, in the first ever final match to be decided by a single penalty kick goal and the first in which a red card was issued.
In commemoration of Solaja’s10 World Cup coverage achievement, GHM Communications, a fast-rising post-production company based in Nigeria, has produced a compelling video documentary that pays tribute to veteran Nigerian sports journalist and publisher of Sports Village Square, Kunle Solaja, chronicling an extraordinary career that has taken him to 10 consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
The production, titled around Solaja’s “10 World Cups” milestone, traces a journey that began with a young football enthusiast and evolved into one of Africa’s most enduring World Cup reporting careers.
Using a blend of archival footage, photographs and contemporary images from the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, the documentary highlights Solaja’s unique place among the select group of journalists worldwide who have covered the global football spectacle over such a prolonged period.
The video opens with evocative football imagery before taking viewers through memorable moments from previous World Cups, including iconic scenes featuring football legends and historic tournament matches. It then shifts focus to Solaja’s personal experiences, showcasing his presence at various World Cup venues and media centres across different host nations.
A recurring theme throughout the documentary is the evolution of football journalism over the past three decades and Solaja’s ability to remain relevant through changing technologies, reporting methods and media platforms.
The production also revisits some of the milestones that have defined his professional journey, including his extensive travels, interactions with global football personalities and his commitment to documenting African participation at the World Cup.
Several images featured in the documentary reflect Solaja’s long-standing association with international sports journalism bodies, including the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and FIFA, underscoring the recognition he has received within the global media community.
The documentary culminates with scenes from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Solaja is once again on assignment, completing a remarkable sequence of World Cup appearances stretching from Italia ’90 to the current tournament.
For Nigerian sports journalism, the achievement represents more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to dedication, resilience and a lifelong passion for football reporting.
Having witnessed the World Cup across four decades, multiple continents and several generations of football stars, Solaja’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists and a reminder of the enduring value of specialised sports reporting.
The GHD production captures that legacy vividly, celebrating not just 10 World Cups, but a career devoted to telling the stories behind the world’s biggest sporting event.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ entering its decisive phase, adidas has unveiled the TRIONDA FINAL, a specially designed Official Match Ball that will be used for the semi-finals, bronze-medal match and final of the record-breaking tournament.
The new ball represents a significant departure from previous FIFA World Cup traditions. While past tournaments typically introduced only colour variations for the latter stages, TRIONDA FINAL features an entirely new premium design that reflects the prestige of the competition’s concluding matches.
Finished in striking gold, white and black, the ball draws inspiration from the journey towards football’s most coveted prize. Its gold accents pay tribute to the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the black base gives it a bold and sophisticated appearance befitting the tournament’s biggest occasions.
TRIONDA FINAL builds on the original TRIONDA Official Match Ball, first unveiled in October 2025, retaining the same high-performance construction while introducing a design tailored specifically for the final four matches.
One of the ball’s most distinctive features is its tribute to the 16 Host Cities that have staged matches during the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. The four cities hosting the tournament’s climax—Dallas, Atlanta, Miami and New York New Jersey—are prominently incorporated into the main design elements.
The remaining host cities—Boston, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Monterrey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver—are embedded within the ball’s triangular graphics, ensuring their contribution to the tournament is celebrated until the final whistle.
“The TRIONDA FINAL ball for the last four matches of the FIFA World Cup is here,” said Gianni Infantino.
“The iconic TRIONDA has brought so much joy every time it has hit the back of the net in this FIFA World Cup, and it perfectly embodies the unity and passion of the tournament’s host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
Infantino added that the ball would serve as a lasting symbol of the cities that have helped stage the tournament.
“For the final four matches of the tournament, this TRIONDA FINAL will be at the feet of the best players on the planet. Through every touch, dribble, flick, pass, cross, save, strike and goal, the 16 cities that have helped FIFA stage the record-breaking 23rd edition of the tournament will be further etched into FIFA World Cup folklore.”
Beyond its aesthetics, the TRIONDA FINAL also incorporates the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology, which provides real-time ball data to assist match officials in making faster and more accurate decisions while offering enhanced performance insights throughout the game.
The ball will make its debut in the semi-finals before taking centre stage in the bronze-medal match and the final in New York New Jersey, where the world champions of the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged will be crowned.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan will not be watching any more of the World Cup, he said on Tuesday, blaming refereeing errors for his country’s heartbreaking elimination from the tournament at the hands of Argentina.
Egypt were 2-0 up with 11 minutes left of their last 16 clash against the holders Argentina, agonisingly close to one of the great World Cup upsets, only to concede three goals in the closing stages and go out.
They were picked apart at the end of the game by a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback, but Hassan insisted his team were better.
“I’m going home and won’t be watching any more games from the tournament,” he told a press conference.
“What happened to us wasn’t fair. We should have had a penalty; a goal was disallowed, and I don’t know why it was disallowed.”
Egypt netted in the 62nd minute through Mostafa Zico, but a VAR check found there was a foul from the Egyptians in the buildup.
They also claimed a late penalty after a tug on Hamdy Fathy, and their anger was exacerbated by Argentina going down the other end and scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
“Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you’re entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions,” said Hassan, whose press conference was a litany of complaints.
“I’m the type of person who hates losing. And when it’s a defeat that feels unjust like today’s, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy,” he added.
“But what made me happy was that my players followed the game plan on many occasions and worked very well.”
Egypt had been surprisingly attacking early on in the game, a departure from Hassan’s usual tactic of playing with a tight defence and looking for counter-attack opportunities.
It helped them take an early lead, but it was the heroics of goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir that ensured they remained in front by halftime.
“I’m very, very satisfied with the effort they put in. Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment,” Hassan added.
“Yet with predominantly local players — besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush — we were able to compete with anyone.”
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
VIDEO: GHD Documentary Celebrates Kunle Solaja’s Remarkable Journey Across 10 FIFA World Cups
adidas Unveils Gold-Coloured TRIONDA FINAL Ball For World Cup’s Closing Stages
Hossam Hassan Blames Refereeing Decisions For Egypt’s Heartbreaking Exit
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup6 days ago
What a Load of Rubbish! How Senegal Threw Away a World Cup Dream
- World Cup2 days ago
Bizarre! FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US v Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump
- World Cup1 week ago
Beyond the World Cup: A Journalist’s Reflection at Ground Zero
- World Cup6 days ago
Celebrating a Decade of World Cup Coverage: A Tribute to Kunle Solaja
- World Cup6 days ago
Cry for Africa, My Beloved Continent: How four decades of World Cup heartbreak continue to haunt African football
- World Cup4 days ago
Pharaohs End World Cup Knockout Hoodoo, Beat Australia on Penalties to Reach Last 16
- World Cup1 week ago
Mbappe Double Fires France into Last 16 as Sweden Swept Aside
- World Cup2 days ago
Article 27: The Little-Known FIFA Rule Behind Balogun’s World Cup Reprieve