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France 1998 was my best World Cup – Nigeria striker Mutiu Adepoju
By Olu Dare
Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju, has picked his outing with the Super Eagles at the France 1998 World Cup as his best moment in the national team.
The former Real Madrid midfielder is one of the few Nigerians privileged to have featured in the FIFA World Cup, having made the cut to the 1994, 1998 and 2002 editions.
He told Premium Times: “It was a very special feeling, with what had been happening and qualifying Nigeria for the first time. I can’t describe how the feeling was, going to the World Cup, the biggest tournament in the world and representing Nigeria for the first time.
“It was awesome! And I was ecstatic being in the USA with the experiences I was able to gather. It was a very special feeling. I will say the 1998 World Cup was my best. I was part of the making, including the Nations cup.
“During the 1994 World Cup, I didn’t command a starting shirt, a lot of players came in. I was young, and we shared minutes, but in 1998, I participated in all the qualification matches, including the Nations Cup.
“I would say it would have been better for me if not for the defeat to Denmark in the second round. It was great games, both in 94 and 98.”
