Sunday Oliseh backs 1994 Super Eagles as Nigeria’s greatest team

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has weighed in on the long-standing debate over the Super Eagles’ greatest football team, defending the 1994 squad as superior to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.

The discussion was reignited after Nigerian sports journalist Ken Ochonogor suggested on social media platform X that the 1980 team, led by Christian Chukwu and Segun Odegbami, could have defeated the more celebrated 1994 side.

“I still believe the 1980 team could have beaten the 1994 team,” Ochonogor wrote, drawing comparisons between key players from both eras.

“Okala vs Rufai, Chukwu vs Keshi, Muda vs Oliseh, Odegbami vs Finidi, Adokiye vs Amuneke. If only they had a Yekini!”

Oliseh, a pivotal figure in the 1994 team, responded directly to the post, defending his generation’s achievements.

“Well, you can easily rate the teams and players by what they achieved both at club side and national team levels,” he posted.

“With all due respect, no team collectively or individually to date has come close to what the 1994 team players achieved for club and country. Sorry!!”

The 1994 squad, which included stars like Rashidi Yekini, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Finidi George, won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and became the first Nigerian team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16 in the U.S.

In contrast, the 1980 team, coached by Otto Gloria, earned Nigeria’s first AFCON title on home soil and is remembered for laying the foundation of modern Nigerian football.

While both squads have a firm place in Nigerian football history, Oliseh’s comments have added fresh fuel to a debate that continues to captivate fans across generations.