History and Development of Soccer in Nigeria

Nigeria's involvement in competitive soccer dated back to the early 1940s during the colonial era.
Nigeria as a nation organised its first local soccer competition in 1945, with about 10 local clubs competing in the maden edition of the F A Cup competition known as the challenge cup. The competition was won by the Red Devils of Portharcourt. Since that time the competition has been organised on an annual basis, with the number of clubs increasing.

Presently, the number of the football clubs competing in the FA cup competition has risen to about 300 or more. There is also another major competition known as the national league which is being competed by about 78 clubs at different stages at the national level.

At International level, Nigeria has become a very strong force in world soccer at all levels/categories. A lot of honours have been won by the country in various soccer competitions over the last two decades. Few among the countries achievements are :

1. Four times winner of the African nations cup competiition
   
2. Two times African representative at the finals of the world cup competition
   
3. Quarter finalist at the world cup finals in the USA 1994
   
4. Current Olympic Soccer Champion after defeating soccer giants like Brazil and Angentina on a row
   
5. currently qualified to represent Africa at the Sydney Olympic in 2000.
   
6. Four times finalist at the under 21 soccer competittion
   
7. Two times winner of the under 17 world soccer cup competition.
   

The Football House in Lagos

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