With players such as Sunday Oliseh, Jay Jay Okocha, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi and goalkeeper Peter Rufai, Nigeria qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1994 after winning the Africa Cup earlier that year.
The Nigerians caught the later semi-finalist Bulgaria (3-0) and suffered a close defeat against Argentina. As a group winner, the Westerhof and Bonfrère squad took on the disappointing Italy in the eighth finals.
In that game, Nigeria came 1-0 early via Emmanuel Amunike and there seemed to be no problem. Especially after Gianfranco Zola (admittedly wrongly) was sent off the field.
Still, Roberto Baggio, after weakly defending Oliseh, made it 1-1 in 88th minute. In extra time, Baggio shot the Italians to victory from a penalty kick, after a clumsy foul on Antonio Benarrivo.
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