AFCON2019: Four times Super Eagles have won in deep green

The myth surrounding Nigeria’s deep green away kits have resurfaced once again after it was confirmed that the Super Eagles will don the jersey when they face Algeria on Sunday in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal game.

The Eagles are officially the away team in the encounter and will don the deep green kits because the Algerians’ home kit is an all white with green tapes jersey.

In a bid to dissuade the raging superstitions, www.aclsports.com compiled the four matches during which Nigeria’s Super Eagles have donned the kits and yet won the games.

1. November 14, 2017 – Argentina 2-4 Nigeria (Krasnodar, Russia)

The Iheanacho show! Nigeria came from behind to beat the Argentines 4-2 with Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho scoring twice while Alex Iwobi also netted a sumptuous goal.

2. March 23, 2018 – Poland 0-1 Nigeria (Wroclaw, Poland)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles started their World Cup preparation with a friendly win over the Polish side on this FIFA Free Day in Wroclaw. Victor Moses scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 61st minute.

3. October 16, 2018 – Libya 2-3 Nigeria (Sfax, Tunisia)

It was the night that Nigeria took a massive step towards qualification for the current AFCON tournament. Striker Odion Ighalo started and ended the scoring in this five goals thriller at the Taiieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax, Tunisia.

4. March 25, 2019 – Nigeria 1-0 Egypt (Asaba, Nigeria)

This game was decided within ten seconds. Paul Ebere Onuachu, making his full debut for the Super Eagles scored a fantastic volley in the opening seconds and the Super Eagles held on for the win over Egypt.

The above instances are to prove some notions wrong that the jersey is indeed cursed and that football goes beyond these superstitions.

Fisayo Dairo, from Cairo