TheCable

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria begin their World Cup campaign today, their fans hope to see goals, lots of goals from the team; and not just goals, but memorable celebrations to boot.

Will it be a somersault from Victor Moses or a run towards the bench from Emmanuel Emenike?

TheCable recounts five unique goal celebrations from previous campaigns of the Super Eagles at the World Cup.

Rashidi Yekini!

He scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at the World Cup against Bulgaria at USA ’94 but the celebration – sheer unrestrained joy, wailing with delight, throwing his arms to the sky – put the goal to shade.  Raw emotion at its best.

Hip-hop flavour from Amokachi

Daniel Amokachi performed a disco move step and was promptly joined by Uche Okechukwu and Emmanuel Amuneke after his goal against Bulgaria at USA ’94 set up a 2-0 lead for the Super Eagles. The dance step caught on as it ruled parties and disco halls in most parts of Nigeria.

Julius ‘Agha-Wonder’ backflip

Nigeria striker Julius Aghahowa’s trademark goal celebration is the back  flip. After scoring against Sweden at Korea/Japan 2002, the former Bendel Insurance forward showed his other expertise with a multiple back flips. The match commentator added gloss to it with his ‘’…Aghahowa on and on and on hoooo…!

George is top dog!

After scoring a beauty against the whipping boys, Greece, at USA ‘94 slotting the ball past their goalkeeper, George ran towards the corner flag and one expected him to do a ‘Roger Milla’ but he got down on all fours and imitated a dog that is passing out faeces!

Oliseh unleashes the dragon!

Sunday Oliseh’s goal and celebration against Spain at France ’98 form a major highlight of that edition of the World Cup.  A hasty clearance in the Spanish area saw the ball in Oliseh’s possession and he unleashed a thunderous swerving half-volley into the net. The spontaneous joy after the shot hits the net will remain indelible in people’s mind.