Nigeria qualified to represent Africa in the 1998 FIFA World Cup hosted by Spain along with their fellow Africans: Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa. It was a tournament that saw the return of most of the members of the squad that participated in the 1994 World Cup. The 1998 FIFA World Cup saw some sensational goals and the Nigerian Super Eagles were not left out. the party of goals. Below is a profile of Nigeria’s goalscorers at France 1998.
- mutiu adepoju
Mutiu Adepoju, popularly known as “the manager”, scored a classic opening goal with a header in the 24th minute of play in Nigeria’s first match against Spain. His equalizing goal annulled Fernando Hierro’s goal in the 21st minute. He was then closing the deal on him with the Spanish team- Racing Santander.
- Garba Lawal
Garba Lawal forced the Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta to make a huge mistake that ended in an own goal. The goal came from a shot without a goal from the left wing that Zubizarreta deflected into his own goal to tie the score at 2-2.
- Sunday Oliseh
Nigeria’s best goal of the 1998 FIFA World Cup was scored by Nigerian attacking midfielder Sunday Oliseh in Nigeria’s opening match against Spain. He scored through a 45-meter shot from outside the 18-yard box to beat veteran Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta. The goal was later played on major television channels during and after the World Cup. Sunday Oliseh’s breakneck goal secured victory for the Nigerian Super Eagles and became the biggest upset of the tournament. The match ended 3-2 after regulation time.
- Victor Ikpeba
Nigeria Forward: Victor Ikpeba scored the only goal that sealed Nigeria’s victory against Greece in the 28th minute of the first half. Ikpeba, then playing for Monaco of France, later became known as “the prince of Monaco” due to his goalscoring exploits for Monaco.
- wilson oruma
Wilson Oruma, who played as an attacking midfielder at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scored a sensational 11th-minute goal that left a big scar in Nigeria’s third and final group match with Paraguay. His only goal failed to prevent Paraguay from inflicting a 3-1 loss on Nigeria.
- tijani babangida
Diminutive right winger Tijani Babangida was on the scoring list when Nigeria was humiliated 4-1 by Denmark in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. It was a match in which Danish striker Ebbe Sand he made history as a substitute to score the goal. the fastest goal in a FIFA World Cup. He scored in the 59th minute of the second half as soon as he entered the field of play.