Friday 16th March, 1990 was a black day for ardent Nigerian football lovers at the famous Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers where the 1990 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) finals took place between hosts, Algeria and Nigeria.
In the build up from the group stage. Nigeria lost in their opening game 1-4 to Algeria, won 1-0 against Egypt and round up with a 1-0 win against Cote d’Ivoire. In the semi finals, Nigeria won Zambia 2-0 to progress to a rematch against Algeria in the finals.
The experienced Dutch born tactician, Clemens Westerhoff was in charge of the Nigerian team that paraded the likes of Goalkeeper and Captain, Alloysius Agu, Daniel Amokachi, Baldwin Bazuaye, Herbert Anijekwu, Ayodele Ogunlaya, Friday Elahor, Thompson Oliha, Ademola Adeshina and others.
Coach Abdelhamid Kermali of Algeria who was hoping to win his first AFCON trophy had a large chunk of this team players from the home front were battle ready in this epic final as they(Algeria) suspected the Nigerian team will want to stage come back for their pound of flesh after their loss at the group stage.
Centre Referee, Jean Fidele Diramba from Gabon has his hands full from the first blast of the whistle till the end of both halves as both teams were slugging it out in aerial duels, ball possession, dribbles and lots of tackles.
Like a house on fire, Talismanaic Cherif Oudjani of Algeria who was a thorn in the flesh of the Nigerian half drew first blood with a 38th minute goal.
A short pass from Algerian player, Rabah Madjer in the half of the Nigerian midfield linked up with Cherif Oudjani who with lightening speed made no mistake to strike with a thunderous shot from 25 metres out fired into the top right hand corner of the Nigerian Goal post with Goalkeeper Agu whose out stretched hands could not stop the ball from going in.
This sent the stadium into pandemonium as the home fans went agog with celebrations.
It was electric at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 venue as the jersey number 10, Cherif ran all the way to the sidelines to celebrate.
Many Nigerian were left disappointed as Nigeria could not do a comeback till the end of 90 minutes.
Full time of the match had the outcome of Algeria 1 : 0 Nigeria as Algeria were crowned CHAMPIONS.
A sad day for Nigeria and West Africa as Algeria won their first ever AFCON trophy in home soil.
