No, that is not true The story of Nigeria losing a match 99–1 often to India is one of the most famous and enduring urban legends in Nigerian history.
In reality, such a match never took place. Here is the breakdown of why this story exists and the facts behind it:
The Legend vs. Reality
The Myth People often claim that India beat Nigeria 99–1 using "juju" or black magic. The story usually says the ball turned into a lion, a stone, or a ball of fire, making it impossible for the Nigerian goalkeeper to save it. It’s also often said that a Nigerian player (usually Samuel Okwaraji) died after scoring Nigeria’s only goal.
The Reality There is no official record of any football match between Nigeria and India that ended with such a score. FIFA has no record of it, and no newspapers from that era ever reported on it.
Where the story came from
The myth likely grew out of a mix of three real events:
Samuel Okwaraji's Death Samuel Okwaraji did tragically pass away on the field, but it was during a World Cup qualifier against Angola in 1989, not India. He died of a heart condition.
India’s Absence from the World Cup India qualified for the 1950 World Cup but withdrew, partly because FIFA would not allow them to play barefoot This led to a rumor in Nigeria that they were "banned" for using magic.
lack of Information Before the internet, these types of folk stories spread easily among children and adults alike, eventually becoming a part of Nigerian "street" history.
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