Football
Ed Dove, Special to ESPN 6y

Ranking all of Nigeria's World Cup kits

Nike created quite a stir this week when they unveiled Nigeria's new kits for the 2018 World Cup, but how do the latest designs compare to Super Eagles shirts of past tournaments?

Ahead of their sixth tournament performance, and in light of Nike's striking new efforts, KweséESPN ranks all of Nigeria's home kits from their quintet of campaigns at the sport's global high table...and assess how the new addition stacks up.

6. 2014: Nigerians may have fond memories of the 2014 tournament in Brazil, when they equalled the nation's best performance by taking four points from the group stage before falling to France in the Round of 16.

However, while Ahmed Musa's double against Argentina and Peter Odemwingie's winner against Bosnia-Herzegovina were great moments, the dual-green kit doesn't quite stand the test of time.

Ridiculed upon its unveiling, the return to a near-neon green didn't go down well with punters, even if Adidas' white stripes on the shoulder were a classy touch.

5. 2010: Nigeria returned to the high table in 2010, but they didn't leave much of an impression, falling at the first hurdle after taking just one point from their three group games.

Their kit didn't leave much of an impression either. It was simply quite a boring effort, which lacked the style of previous efforts and must have taken the chaps at Adidas about 20 minutes to whip up.

Even the green lacked the vitality of Nigeria's more classic kits, and this one, while inoffensive, is simply unmemorable.

4. 2002: This effort is somewhat divisive among supporters.

Certainly, there are some fond memories of some of the nation's greatest players strutting their stuff in Japan and South Korea - in the Group of Death - in this bright number, and there was no way that the Super Eagles were going to be missed.

However, the shade of green just wasn't quite 'Nigeria' enough for purists, with Nike returning to a similar option for the home kit ahead of this year's tournament.

Intriguingly, Nigeria opted for white numbers on their fluorescent green kit against Argentina in 2002, but changed to black - for legibility purposes - for their clash against England.

3. 1998: Nigeria's kit in 1998 was a thing of beauty, as Nike again excelled themselves with a classy effort.

The white bands with black trim on the shoulders and under the arms made the Super Eagles appear imposing and dynamic, and as if to prove the point, Sunday Oliseh's winner - in this strip - against Spain remains arguably the nation's greatest World Cup moment.

The best thing about this kit? It matched perfectly with Taribo West's iconic green haircut!

2. 2018: At first glance, the 'feathery' design may be an acquired taste for some, while others have again complained that the shade isn't the right green for the Super Eagles.

However, this dazzling Nike design - part of a collection to celebrate the concept of Naija - has all the makings of an all-time classic World Cup jersey.

Certainly, if the Eagles reach the Round of 16 and beyond, you could expect this to become an iconic kit, with the touch of nostalgia and reference to the 1994 strip a lovely gesture.

1. 1994: The original iconic Nigeria World Cup kit, it remains arguably the greatest - and is certainly one of the finest home shirts ever worn by the Super Eagles.

The white away kit, as worn by Rashidi Yekini as he tore into the net, pumping his fists in jubilant celebration after netting Nigeria's account at the World Cup, may be the more emblematic strip, but the home shirt is excellent too.

The home shirt, while a little more subtle than the away strip, was still a head-turner, with the reference to local fabric around the neck and sleeves not quite like anything else the World Cup had previously seen.

A truly distinctive kit, and a worthy uniform for the Golden Generation's first introduction to a global audience.

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