Super Eagles: 3 times Nigeria have sealed World Cup qualification on final-day
The Super Eagles are praying for a miracle in Uyo, with their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread. In this piece, we revisit the moments when the Super Eagles sealed World Cup qualification on the final day, some achieved against all odds.
Nigeria may not have full control of their destiny this time, but they can still give themselves a fighting chance by beating current Group C leaders Benin Republic convincingly in Uyo.
The Super Eagles sit third in the group with 14 points, three behind Benin and one behind second-placed South Africa, leaving no room for error. To qualify, Nigeria must defeat Benin and hope South Africa fail to beat Rwanda at home.
It looks like a long shot, and the mood among fans is understandably tense, but history has shown that when Nigeria’s back is against the wall, the Super Eagles often find a way to soar.
This is not the first time Nigeria have faced such a nail-biting finale on the road to football’s biggest stage.
Below, we look at three times that Nigeria qualified for the World Cup on final matchday.
1. Algeria 1-1 Nigeria (October 8, 1993) - 1994 World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria’s journey to their first-ever World Cup in 1994 was filled with tension, drama, and determination. It was the moment that marked the rise of a true African football powerhouse.
After advancing to the second round of qualifiers, the Super Eagles were drawn in a tough group alongside Ivory Coast and Algeria, two of the continent’s biggest names at the time.
With just one round of matches left, Nigeria knew exactly what was required, and it was to avoid defeat in Algiers, and seal their ticket to USA ’94.
Finidi George struck early in the first half to calm the nerves, giving Nigeria a precious lead. But Algeria equalised late on to set up a tense finish. Still, the Super Eagles held firm, defending with grit until the final whistle.
That 1-1 draw was more than enough to send Nigeria to their maiden World Cup, a historic achievement that crowned a golden generation and ignited decades of national pride.
&format=webp)
2. Nigeria 3-0 Ghana (July 29, 2001) - 2002 World Cup Qualifiers
By the time the 2002 World Cup was approaching, Nigeria had established themselves as one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses, a team whose presence on the global stage was almost expected.
Having featured in both the 1994 and 1998 tournaments, the Super Eagles were determined to make it three in a row.
However, their road to Korea and Japan was anything but straightforward. The qualifying campaign began sluggishly, with dropped points leaving the team playing catch-up.
By the final round of fixtures, Nigeria’s fate hinged on a must-win clash against fierce rivals Ghana.
Port Harcourt was chosen as the battleground, and the atmosphere was electric. The crowd roared from the first whistle, and it did not take long for Victor Agali to open the scoring in just the second minute. The floodgates soon opened as Tijani Babangida dazzled with a first-half brace to make it 3-0 at the break.
The second half was more of a celebration than a contest. Fans danced, flags waved, and chants of “Super Eagles” filled the air as Nigeria cruised to victory.
That emphatic result lifted the team one point above Liberia, securing top spot in Group B and another World Cup ticket, a hard-fought journey that ended in style.
&format=webp)
3. Kenya 2-3 Nigeria (November 14, 2009) - 2010 World Cup Qualifiers
This is perhaps the closest parallel to what the Super Eagles now face in Uyo.
Back in 2009, the stakes were sky-high as Nigeria chased a place at the 2010 World Cup, the first ever to be hosted on African soil. Missing out was not an option, yet qualification hung by the thinnest of threads.
Heading into the final group game, Nigeria trailed Tunisia and needed more than just a win, as they need to beat Kenya away and hope Tunisia slipped up against Mozambique. What followed in Nairobi was a nerve-shredding afternoon that tested every ounce of belief.
&format=webp)
The Super Eagles twice fell behind to the Harambee Stars, but resilience became their weapon. Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Aiyegbeni dragged Nigeria level each time before Martins struck again late on to complete a dramatic turnaround.
As news filtered through that Mozambique had stunned Tunisia 1–0, the impossible became reality. Nigeria’s comeback, mixed with Tunisia’s collapse, sealed qualification and sparked wild celebrations across the country.
It remains one of the most emotional nights in Super Eagles history, a perfect example of how destiny sometimes rewards belief, even when the odds seem impossible.
