By Ayobami Okerinde
The Super Eagles has come under fire from Nigerians after reviving memories of the team’s famous 1998 FIFA World Cup victory over Spain, with many fans accusing the team of dwelling on past glory after failing to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
Nigeria produced one of the biggest upsets of the 1998 tournament on June 13, coming from behind twice before Sunday Oliseh’s thunderous long-range strike secured a famous victory in Nantes.
In a late-night post on the team’s official X account Tuesday, the Super Eagles shared a clip from the historic encounter with the caption, “Beating Spain isn’t for everyone.”
The post came just hours after Spain defeated France 2-0 to book a place in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, rekindling memories of Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over the Europeans in France 1998.
However, rather than celebrate the nostalgic moment, many Nigerians criticised the federation, pointing out that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after finishing second in Group C of the African qualifiers behind South Africa and losing 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in the second-round playoffs.
It marks the second consecutive World Cup the three-time African champions will miss, having also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Despite the historic significance of the victory, many fans said the timing of the post was inappropriate given Nigeria’s recent struggles.
Former radio host @iamDo2dtun wrote, “Qualifying for the World Cup isn’t for everyone.”
Another user, @_AsiwajuLerry, said, “Read the room. Do you not have shame at all?”
@It_Was_A_Good_D added, “Even as a Nigerian, I’m ashamed. We couldn’t qualify for the World Cup in a group containing Zimbabwe and Lesotho. Delete this nonsense.”
@PreciyIsi commented, “Una no dey shame.”
Reacting, @_Jaredad wrote, “After beating them what did we gain? Spain have gone on to qualify for two finals. We are here and couldn’t qualify for the World Cup back to back. Shame on NFF.”
Another user, @Limoblaze, simply asked, “Do you even have shame?”
@AliquamScripto wrote, “You think you can do jokes when you didn’t even qualify? Stop disgracing us.”
Also reacting, @Joe__Bassey said, “Your mates were in the World Cup balling. Yours is to post a clip of 1998, which is 28 years ago. Shame no catch you?”
@Mr_Gerrie01 added, “No shame. No self-awareness at all. You didn’t qualify for this World Cup and you have the audacity to post this? Couldn’t beat Congo. Shameless lot.”
Similarly, @YEVologi wrote, “This is 28 years after. We are in 2026. Ordinary World Cup, you couldn’t qualify back to back.”
FIFA has since celebrated the goal as one of the tournament’s iconic moments, writing: “Today, we look back at Sunday Oliseh’s sensational goal for Nigeria against Spain at France 1998.”
The world football governing body also listed Spain’s 2-3 defeat to Nigeria among the greatest FIFA World Cup upsets, noting that the Super Eagles, appearing at only their second World Cup, stunned a Spanish side featuring stars such as Fernando Hierro, Raúl and Luis Enrique.
