Underdogs turned fashionistas: Nigeria's team jerseys are a big hit at this year's World Cup

They may be a long shot to win the World Cup, but Nigeria's Super Eagles are one of the most talked-about teams at this year's competition — thanks in no small part to their jerseys.

The team, which is set to face off against Croatia on June 16, is the youngest in competition this year. According to CNN, they're also the most stylish.

While the team has never made it past the World Cup's second round, Nigerian journalist Yomi Kazeem says the Super Eagles' fashion savvy has given them a positive push leading into the most-watched sports event of 2018.

"This year, the Super Eagles are getting a lot of momentum and attention," Kazeem told Day 6. "And a huge part of that is because of the jerseys."

Jerseys gone viral

The Super Eagles have been turning heads since February, when the first images of their stylish soccer kits went public.

Kazeem says the home jersey, in particular, stands out.

"It almost looks like the feathers of a bird, or in this case, an eagle, since that's what the national team is called. And it's super catchy — you see it, you notice it. It's different from pretty much anything else at the World Cup."

It's hard to tell if it's original or fake, but they don't care; they're just happy to have the jersey.- Yomi Kazeem, reporter for Quartz Africa

The jersey's green, white and black design holds special significance to Nigerian soccer fans. It was inspired by Nigeria's 1994 World Cup team — the first in the country to make it to the competition.

"That automatically triggered nostalgia," Kazeem said.

"After it was launched everybody simply wanted to have a piece of it."

Fashion-driven fandom

By the time the kits were finally made available for purchase in June, they'd become a hot commodity around the world.

"Prominent football blogs, prominent football websites, all reviewed the jersey and all came to the same conclusion that it was most likely going to be one of the best, if not the best jerseys at the World Cup," Kazeem said.

The hype around the jerseys has translated into a lot more attention on the football team.- Yomi Kazeem, reporter for Quartz Africa

On Nike's official website, the jerseys sold out in less than three hours. At physical stores around the world, people lined up around the block for their chance to get their hands on the attire.

But that hasn't deterred Nigerian fans.

"Back in Nigeria there is a thriving market of bootleg fake jerseys from Asia that are being imported and sold," Kazeem said. "And so now, if you walk down the streets of Lagos, you are bound to see someone wearing the jersey. It's hard to tell if it's original or fake, but they don't care; they're just happy to have the jersey."

Growing momentum

Since their arrival in Russia for the 2018 World Cup, the Super Eagles' fashion sense has continued to draw attention.

"When they landed in Russia, while everybody else showed up in suits, the Super Eagles landed wearing traditional attire with hats, and down to the sandal — all of them looking the same and looking really good."

All that attention has had a positive effect on the team, according to Kazeem.

"The hype around the jerseys has translated into a lot more attention on the football team," he said. "There are non-Nigerians who have bought the jerseys and now automatically root for Nigeria, and will most likely pay attention to the football team."

Still, it remains to be seen whether the Super Eagles can translate that enthusiasm into success on the field.

"They've never gone into the World Cup being one of the most talked about teams, and even though that might ordinarily invite some pressure, the feeling is that they're excited by the attention," Kazeem said.

"We're hoping that they can step up to the plate and match just how good we've looked off the pitch … on the pitch."