Eagles take Confederations cup record to Brazil
Apart from this year’s edition being hosted by Brazil, Nigeria’s only other appearance in the competition was in Saudi Arabia 18 years ago, when it was still known as King Fahd Cup.
Though the Super Eagles did not win the 1995 King Fahd Cup, Nigeria is one of the only two countries world football governing body FIFA regards as yet unbeaten in the Confederations Cup. The other country is Denmark.
Way back in January 1995, Nigeria defeated Japan 3-0 and played a goalless draw with Argentina in Group B of the then six-country format of the competition. The classification match between Nigeria and Mexico ended 1-1 at regulation and extra time, but the Mexicans placed third after a penalty shoot-out went the way of the Mexicans.
Denmark have also featured in the competition only once and that, incidentally, was in the 1995 edition, which they eventually won. The Danes beat hosts Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their first Group A match and drew 1-1 with Mexico in their other group match. In the final match, they defeated defending champions Argentina 2-0.
Outside of the Confederations Cup, Nigeria have a 17-match unbeaten run. On a number of occasions their unbeaten run had been threatened, but they had managed to survive on each of these occasions, the most recent being last Wednesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia in Windhoek, where the Brave Warriors were already coasting home to a win before Godfrey Oboabona’s lifeline with seven minutes left.
Nigeria are in Group B of the Confederations Cup with world and European champions Spain who have a 22-match unbeaten run on their heels; South American champions Uruguay and Oceanian champions Tahiti.
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