For many Nigerians, football is more than a sport. It is a shared passion capable of bringing together people from different backgrounds, communities and generations.
In a nostalgic reflection titled “The Damman Miracle,” lawyer and policy analyst, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., takes readers back to one of the most remarkable moments in Nigerian football history — the dramatic comeback against the Soviet Union at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Ogbankwa recalled the growth of Nigerian football, tracing what he described as a football renaissance to the country’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations triumph under Brazilian coach Otto Gloria.
The team featured notable players including Segun Odegbami and Mudi Lawal, whose performances helped establish Nigeria as a major force in African football.
He also recalled Nigeria’s success at the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship, when the country’s young footballers became the first African side to win the competition, earning the nickname Golden Eaglets.
The Road to the Damman Miracle
Recounting his experience as a student at Niger College, Benin City, during the 1989 tournament, Ogbankwa said football dominated conversations among students during school breaks.
He recalled following international football through Complete Sports and Complete Football, publications associated with prominent sports journalist Dr Mumini Alao and publisher Nduka Ojeagbase.
Ogbankwa said his passion and knowledge of football earned him the nickname “FIFA” among his classmates and friends.
Nigeria opened its campaign at the tournament against hosts Saudi Arabia, securing victory through a late free-kick goal by Christopher Ohenhen, before progressing to the semi-final.
It was at the semi-final stage in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, that Nigeria produced the comeback that would become one of the most celebrated moments in the country’s football history.
From 4-0 Down to 4-4
Nigeria faced the Soviet Union and found itself in serious trouble by half-time, trailing 4-0.
According to Ogbankwa, Nigerians watching the match at home could hardly have imagined what was about to unfold.
The second half produced a stunning turnaround.
Nigeria pulled one goal back, scored again and reduced the deficit to 4-2. Another goal made it 4-3, before the Nigerian side completed the extraordinary comeback by equalising at 4-4 in the closing stages of regulation time.
Ogbankwa recalled the legendary Nigerian commentator Fabio Lanipekun capturing the drama with the memorable words:
“This is Patriotism, this is Nationalism, This is impossible, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 and 4-4.”
The match proceeded into extra time before being decided by penalties.
Nigeria eventually prevailed in the shootout, with Nduka Ugbade scoring the decisive penalty after a dramatic sequence of successful kicks and misses.
A Generation Nigerians Remember
The victory sent waves of excitement across Nigeria, with Ogbankwa recalling the nationwide celebrations that followed the remarkable comeback and subsequent penalty-shootout victory.
Nigeria eventually faced Portugal in the final and lost 2-0, with the Portuguese side featuring a young Luís Figo.
Despite the defeat, the Nigerian team returned home to a heroic reception.
Ogbankwa also remembers the era as one in which the government placed considerable emphasis on sports development, recalling former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida as a leader who showed particular interest in sporting events.
Among the players from that memorable Nigerian generation were Mutiu Adepoju, popularly known as “The Headmaster,” Christopher Ohenhen, Nduka Ugbade and Andrew Aikuomogbe.
For Ogbankwa, the story of the Damman Miracle goes beyond a single football match. It represents an era when Nigerian football inspired enormous national excitement and gave millions of citizens a common source of pride.
His reflection ends with a question that continues to resonate with many Nigerian football followers:
“Where are those good old days?”
About the Author:
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq. is a lawyer and policy analyst and the founder of the Benin Writers’ Society.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
