2013 AFCON winner, Ogenyi Onazi has shared the untold story behind Nigeria’s historic triumph, from over a decade ago, at the tournament held in South Africa.
Speaking in an interview with Brila.net, Onazi, who was a key player in Stephen Keshi’s squad, opened up about the challenges and turning points that led to Nigeria’s third continental title.
Now playing for Italian Serie D side Avezzano, Onazi reflected on how Nigeria’s AFCON victory, a moment etched in the Country’s football folklore was not as smooth as it seemed, revealing the internal battles that shaped their path to glory.
Nigeria’s campaign in the 2013 tournament didn’t start as many expected.
Despite being one of the favorites, the Super Eagles managed just two draws in their opening matches, leading to widespread criticism.
“We drew the first match, then the second match again,” Onazi recalled. “Nigerians even started calling us ‘draw soup.'”
Nigeria had drawn 1-1 with Burkina Faso in their opener, conceding a late equalizer in the fourth minute of added time.
The second match followed a similar script, with Emmanuel Emenike giving Nigeria the lead again against Zambia, only for the defending Champions to equalize in the 85th minute.
Following that second draw, tempers flared in the dressing room.
“After the second match, we had a big fight. Mikel, Yobo, or Enyeama—everyone was shouting, pointing fingers,” Onazi said. “Keshi just sat there, watching us.”
When the shouting finally subsided, Keshi rose and calmly addressed the team. “He asked, ‘Are you all done shouting now?’ Then he said, ‘If I were you, I’d be thinking about how to change things. Nigerians already expect us to play three matches and come home.”
Stephen Keshi (far left) and his assistant coaches.
“The next option is simple—either we win the last match or we go home. Use the energy you’re wasting on each other to win so we can go to the next round.’”
Keshi’s words struck a chord. The team began to refocus,Onazi recalls.
“Everyone started thinking about what Keshi said,” the player added. “In the next game, we won, and that’s how we kept winning, one after the other.”
The quarter-final match against Ivory Coast, a team stacked with stars like Didier Drogba, was expected to be Nigeria’s final hurdle.
“Even the NFF thought this was where we’d stop,” Onazi said. “They were already asking us where we wanted to go after the match—back to Nigeria or our clubs.”
The Super Eagles were up against a formidable opponent, and the tension within the squad didn’t help matters.
“Before the match, there was another fight—this time between Mikel and Yobo in the restaurant,” Onazi revealed. “They were shouting and everybody was just trying to hold Mikel and Yobo. The coaches just left us.
“At that time Yobo wasn’t playing, he wasn’t happy about the situation and Mikel was always special.”
However, Yobo later addressed the team, putting aside personal grievances for the greater good.
“Yobo told us to forget about the fight. He said it wasn’t about him; he just wanted us to succeed in the tournament,” Onazi recounted. “He apologized to Mikel and promised to support the team from the bench. He reminded us that even though it looked impossible, nothing was impossible.”
Joseph Yobo went on to captain Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Against all odds, Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final. Emenike’s strike just before half-time gave Nigeria the lead, but Cheick Tioté’s header early in the second half drew Ivory Coast level.
The decisive moment came when Sunday Mba’s deflected shot found the back of the net, sending Nigeria into the semi-finals.
“When we won that game, I was convinced we’d carry the cup home to Nigeria,” Onazi said.
The Final Push- Champions Of Africa
Team captain Joseph Yobo (R) receives the trophy after Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso in Johannesburg. (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Riding the wave of momentum, Nigeria demolished Mali 4-1 in the semi-final to book a place in the final.
In a tense encounter against Burkina Faso, Sunday Mba once again emerged the hero, scoring the only goal to secure Nigeria’s 1-0 victory and their third AFCON title.
