Nike have only gone and done it again. Just as AFCON kicks off and eyes are all the continent, the Swoosh reach into the archives and pull out of one of the game’s most iconic shirts ever: the 1996 Nigeria home jersey. If this isn’t perfect timing, I’m not sure what is.
First unveiled at the Atlanta Olympics all those years ago, the green and white zigzag masterpiece quickly transcended football. It became a cult icon. Worn as much on the streets and at festivals as it was on the pitch. It symbolised the fearless of that Super Eagles sides and a new era of African football swagger.
Now, nearly 30 years on, that bold pattern still hits just as hard. This kind of swagger doesn’t age. It still feels fresh in 2025 and that tells you everything you need to know about its legacy.
With AFCON underway, the reissue lands like a statement. It’s more than just nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s a reminder of Nigeria’s influence on football culture, fashion, and identity. Few kits carry this kind of weight. This is just the confirmation everyone needed that the ’96 Nigeria home jersey remains untouchable, timeless, and foreever elite.
Available soon at prodirectsport.com/soccer
