Forty-five years after Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, Nigerian legend Olusegun Odegbami has reflected on the milestone victory of the senior national team while also congratulating Victor Osimhen for surpassing his national team goal record.
On March 22, 1980, Nigeria won its first-ever AFCON title, defeating Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Lagos.
Odegbami, who played a key role in the tournament, recalled the achievement and the pride of being part of the squad.
“Exactly 45 years ago today, March 22, 1980, Nigeria won the AFCON for the first time in the country’s history,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent.
“I was a humble member of that wonderful Green (now Super) Eagles squad.”
Odegbami, despite playing primarily as a right-winger, was known for his goal-scoring ability.
He finished as joint top scorer in the 1978 AFCON held in Ghana, and his performances cemented his place in Nigerian football history.
“Even though I did not consider myself a classic goalscorer, because I played mostly from the right wing, the country began to expect me to score goals. I obliged, and the rest is history,” he recalled.
Odegbami also took time to celebrate Victor Osimhen’s latest achievement.
The Galatasaray striker scored twice for Nigeria to take his tally to 25 as the Eagles got their World Cup qualifying hopes back on track with a 2-0 victory over Rwanda last Friday in Kigali, surpassing Odegbami’s long-standing record of 23 goals in 46 matches.
“Yesterday (Friday), supreme goalscorer and centre-forward, Victor Osimhen, surpassed my record!” he stated.
In closing, the Nigerian football legend expressed gratitude for his enduring legacy and the recognition he and his teammates have continued to receive over the years.
“Today, I give thanks to the Creator of the Universe for the gift of life and the opportunity to have represented my country and to be lavishly recognised and honored by the country and my people for 45 long years,” Odegbami said.
As Nigeria celebrates this historic milestone, the achievements of Odegbami and his teammates in 1980 continue to inspire a new generation of Super Eagles stars, with Osimhen now leading the charge for the future.
