04/07/2025
🇳🇬⚽ Did India Really Beat Nigeria 99–1? Let’s Set the Record Straight.
If you grew up in Nigeria, chances are you’ve heard this wild tale that India beat Nigeria 99–1, and every time our goalkeeper tried to catch the ball, it turned into a lion🦁 ! 😂😂
It sounded unbelievable, that story really took some of us on a wild journey through our imaginations.😂😂
Here’s the truth:
✅ There’s no official record from FIFA, CAF, or the Nigeria Football Federation of such a match ever taking place.
✅ India and Nigeria have never played against each other in any international competition during that era.
✅ A scoreline like 99–1 is practically impossible under normal football rules.
✅ And no, the ball never turned into a lion. 😄
So, where did this myth come from?
Most likely, it started as a playful story passed down from generation to generation. In the days before widespread media, stories like this spread fast, especially in schools. It became part of Nigeria’s football folklore, often used to describe India as a land of mystery and magic.
📌 In reality, India was involved in international football but had minimal exposure then. They didn’t withdraw from the 1950 World Cup because of barefoot issues (another myth), and they certainly never played Nigeria in a 99–1 “magical” match.
⚡ Conclusion:
The 99–1 match never happened. It’s one of the most entertaining football myths in Nigeria but a myth all the same. Fun to hear. Not to believe.
Did someone ever tell you this story when you were younger?
Which version did you hear?