#MSS with Dr. Larry Izamoje
QUESTIONS
1. Was Westerhof wrong to have sent Bonfrere Jo to go and watch the Spain versus Switzerland game when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy?
2. Say one or two words to Westerhof and Bonfrere Jo as both parties remain unreconciled since the aftermath of USA ’94.
3. Pay your tributes to the class of 1994, particularly to those departed (Peter Rufai, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha, Uche Okafor).
4. What could have saved the day in USA 1994? Should there have been a player to mark Baggio, would it have worked, and which player could have easily done that?
On Music and Sports Special this morning, Dr. Larry takes a look into the 1994 World Cup in the USA, where Nigeria suffered a defeat to Italy, and the incidents surrounding the exit from the tournament.
The 1994 World Cup in the U.S. marked Nigeria’s debut in the global tournament.
After years of disappointment, and going close in 1978 and 1990, the African side was finally able to reach the World Cup under Dutchman Clemens Westerhof – and assistant coach Bonfrere Jo.
Drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece, and Bulgaria, the Super Eagles defied expectations to top the section on goal difference with wins over Bulgaria and Greece, and a loss to Argentina, to reach the last 16 on their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.
But they faced an Italian side in the Round of 16 that depended on Roberto Baggio and the tactical nous of experienced manager Arrigo Sacchi to progress.
Winger Emmanuel Amuneke put Nigeria in the lead with a 25th-minute instinctive goal, and a shocking quarter-final spot beckoned. Despite stunning those at Boston’s Foxboro Stadium with the game’s opening goal, Emmanuel Amuneke was substituted in the 57th minute by coach Clemens Westerhof, who had already replaced Daniel Amokachi after just 35 minutes.
The Super Eagles were two minutes from winning before a slip from Sunday Oliseh gave Baggio the chance to equalise in the 88th minute. After his part in Zola’s red card earlier on in the game, Eguavoen gifted Italy a penalty by bringing down Benarrivo from behind just inside the box. Baggio calmly converted it for what would prove to be the winning goal to shatter Nigerian dreams.
Following the exit from the World Cup, Bonfrere Jo alleged that Westerhof, the coach of the Nigerian national team at the time, accepted a $100,000 bribe to lose the 1994 World Cup game against Italy. Westerhof vehemently denied the accusation, calling it a lie and stating he would never do such a thing — especially not to Nigeria, which he considered his second home.
Bonfrere Jo also questioned why he was asked to go and watch Spain versus Switzerland when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy. Thirty-one years after, former Super Eagles coach Bonfrere Jo and Westerhof have remained enemies, with the former once stating that he was never going to reconcile with Westerhof and they will never be friends again.
Despite being eliminated at the Round of 16, the Super Eagles were voted the most entertaining team of the USA ’94 World Cup tournament. The squad comprised Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, the exciting Jay-Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Efan Ekoku, Victor Ikpeba, Emeka Ezeugo, Uche Okechukwu, Chidi Nwanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, Michael Emenalo, Aloysius Agu, Augustine Eguavoen, etc.
QUESTIONS
1. Was Westerhof wrong to have sent Bonfrere Jo to go and watch the Spain versus Switzerland game when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy?
2. Say one or two words to Westerhof and Bonfrere Jo as both parties remain unreconciled since the aftermath of USA ’94.
3. Pay your tributes to the class of 1994, particularly to those departed (Peter Rufai, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha, Uche Okafor).
4. What could have saved the day in USA 1994? Should there have been a player to mark Baggio, would it have worked, and which player could have easily done that?
On Music and Sports Special this morning, Dr. Larry takes a look into the 1994 World Cup in the USA, where Nigeria suffered a defeat to Italy, and the incidents surrounding the exit from the tournament.
The 1994 World Cup in the U.S. marked Nigeria’s debut in the global tournament.
After years of disappointment, and going close in 1978 and 1990, the African side was finally able to reach the World Cup under Dutchman Clemens Westerhof – and assistant coach Bonfrere Jo.
Drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece, and Bulgaria, the Super Eagles defied expectations to top the section on goal difference with wins over Bulgaria and Greece, and a loss to Argentina, to reach the last 16 on their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.
But they faced an Italian side in the Round of 16 that depended on Roberto Baggio and the tactical nous of experienced manager Arrigo Sacchi to progress.
Winger Emmanuel Amuneke put Nigeria in the lead with a 25th-minute instinctive goal, and a shocking quarter-final spot beckoned. Despite stunning those at Boston’s Foxboro Stadium with the game’s opening goal, Emmanuel Amuneke was substituted in the 57th minute by coach Clemens Westerhof, who had already replaced Daniel Amokachi after just 35 minutes.
The Super Eagles were two minutes from winning before a slip from Sunday Oliseh gave Baggio the chance to equalise in the 88th minute. After his part in Zola’s red card earlier on in the game, Eguavoen gifted Italy a penalty by bringing down Benarrivo from behind just inside the box. Baggio calmly converted it for what would prove to be the winning goal to shatter Nigerian dreams.
Following the exit from the World Cup, Bonfrere Jo alleged that Westerhof, the coach of the Nigerian national team at the time, accepted a $100,000 bribe to lose the 1994 World Cup game against Italy. Westerhof vehemently denied the accusation, calling it a lie and stating he would never do such a thing — especially not to Nigeria, which he considered his second home.
Bonfrere Jo also questioned why he was asked to go and watch Spain versus Switzerland when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy. Thirty-one years after, former Super Eagles coach Bonfrere Jo and Westerhof have remained enemies, with the former once stating that he was never going to reconcile with Westerhof and they will never be friends again.
Despite being eliminated at the Round of 16, the Super Eagles were voted the most entertaining team of the USA ’94 World Cup tournament. The squad comprised Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, the exciting Jay-Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Efan Ekoku, Victor Ikpeba, Emeka Ezeugo, Uche Okechukwu, Chidi Nwanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, Michael Emenalo, Aloysius Agu, Augustine Eguavoen, etc.
#MSS with Dr. Larry Izamoje
QUESTIONS
1. Was Westerhof wrong to have sent Bonfrere Jo to go and watch the Spain versus Switzerland game when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy?
2. Say one or two words to Westerhof and Bonfrere Jo as both parties remain unreconciled since the aftermath of USA ’94.
3. Pay your tributes to the class of 1994, particularly to those departed (Peter Rufai, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha, Uche Okafor).
4. What could have saved the day in USA 1994? Should there have been a player to mark Baggio, would it have worked, and which player could have easily done that?
On Music and Sports Special this morning, Dr. Larry takes a look into the 1994 World Cup in the USA, where Nigeria suffered a defeat to Italy, and the incidents surrounding the exit from the tournament.
The 1994 World Cup in the U.S. marked Nigeria’s debut in the global tournament.
After years of disappointment, and going close in 1978 and 1990, the African side was finally able to reach the World Cup under Dutchman Clemens Westerhof – and assistant coach Bonfrere Jo.
Drawn in a tough group with Argentina, Greece, and Bulgaria, the Super Eagles defied expectations to top the section on goal difference with wins over Bulgaria and Greece, and a loss to Argentina, to reach the last 16 on their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.
But they faced an Italian side in the Round of 16 that depended on Roberto Baggio and the tactical nous of experienced manager Arrigo Sacchi to progress.
Winger Emmanuel Amuneke put Nigeria in the lead with a 25th-minute instinctive goal, and a shocking quarter-final spot beckoned. Despite stunning those at Boston’s Foxboro Stadium with the game’s opening goal, Emmanuel Amuneke was substituted in the 57th minute by coach Clemens Westerhof, who had already replaced Daniel Amokachi after just 35 minutes.
The Super Eagles were two minutes from winning before a slip from Sunday Oliseh gave Baggio the chance to equalise in the 88th minute. After his part in Zola’s red card earlier on in the game, Eguavoen gifted Italy a penalty by bringing down Benarrivo from behind just inside the box. Baggio calmly converted it for what would prove to be the winning goal to shatter Nigerian dreams.
Following the exit from the World Cup, Bonfrere Jo alleged that Westerhof, the coach of the Nigerian national team at the time, accepted a $100,000 bribe to lose the 1994 World Cup game against Italy. Westerhof vehemently denied the accusation, calling it a lie and stating he would never do such a thing — especially not to Nigeria, which he considered his second home.
Bonfrere Jo also questioned why he was asked to go and watch Spain versus Switzerland when he should have been on the bench for Nigeria vs Italy. Thirty-one years after, former Super Eagles coach Bonfrere Jo and Westerhof have remained enemies, with the former once stating that he was never going to reconcile with Westerhof and they will never be friends again.
Despite being eliminated at the Round of 16, the Super Eagles were voted the most entertaining team of the USA ’94 World Cup tournament. The squad comprised Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, the exciting Jay-Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Efan Ekoku, Victor Ikpeba, Emeka Ezeugo, Uche Okechukwu, Chidi Nwanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, Michael Emenalo, Aloysius Agu, Augustine Eguavoen, etc.
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