Nigeria's Super Eagles are surprisingly young to the global stage, having only made their World Cup finals debut as recently as USA 1994. That year they made the round of 16, before being run out of the tournament by the Italians in extra time. The following edition, they repeated the feat, this time falling to the Danes in the first knock-out round. Nigeria made it three straight World Cup finals in 2002, however, this time failed to progress past the first round. Matters went from bad to worse as they were unable to make it through the qualifying rounds, missing the flight to Germany 2006. (IT'S OUR WORLD CUP)
They comes to South Africa 2010 with renewed hope, having come through the qualifying rounds undefeated, though they did have just as many draws as wins in a group which included Mozambique, Kenya and Tunisia. Nigeria have been in decent form in the run-up to the World Cup, finishing 3rd in the African Cup of Nations, losing to Ghana in the Semi-finals, but recovering well to down Algerio 1-0 in the 3rd place play-off.
Ranked 20th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, Nigeria are placed in Group B alongside Greece, South Korea and heavyweights Argentina. They'll believe they have the necessary firepower in Yakubu and Obafemi Martins to give themselves a good chance of getting through to the knock-out stage once again.
They kick start their campaign with Argentina and one would expect the Super Eagles to give Diego Maradona's team a run for their money. In Greece and South Korea, Nigeria have two fixtures they must make the most of in order to qualify. Both teams are very strong with decent pedigree in major competitions. Nigeria will need to ensure that their backline can match the strength of their front two, to give themselves a chance of coming away with maximum points from those two games.
*Key Players:*
*Obafemi Martins *- The 25-year old has spent time in Italy, England and now is in Germany. He is blessed with blistering pace and is likely to relish an opportunity to lead the line on the big stage. He scores a goal every two games for his national team and could be used fruitfully on the flanks if the Super Eagles need to bring on some more of their big guns.
*Joseph Yobo *- One of the best defenders to come out of Africa, Joseph
Yobo is the inspirational leader of the Super Eagles' back line. While no longer first choice at Everton, Yobo has no peers in his national side, having made 68 appearances thus far for his country.
*Dickson Etuhu *- Nigeria suffered a huge blow on the eve of the World Cup, when Chelsea strongman John Obi Mikel withdrew from the squad after failing to recover in time from a knee operation. The absence of Mikel puts immense responsibility on the broad shoulders of 28-year old Fulhm midfielder Dickson Etuhu. Still a rookie by international standards, Etuhu was an important squad member in Fulham's Europa League campaign this season. His presence in the squad is absolutely vital at the international level, more so now that Coach Lars Lagerback opted to replace the injured Mikel with a 7th forward in Brown Ideye.
*Team: *
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)
Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg)
Midfielders: Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Forwards: Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Victor Obinna (Malaga), Brown Ideye (Sochaux).
*Top Goal Scorers:* Yakubu Aiyegbeni(19), Obafemi Martins(16)
*Most Capped Players:* Joseph Yobo(64), Vincent Enyeama(51)
*Head Coach: *Lars Lagerback
*Form Guide: (DDWW)*
Jan 30, Nigeria 1-0 Algeria
Mar 03, Nigeria 5-2 Congo DR
May 25, Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia
May 30, Nigeria 1-1- Columbia
Fixtures:
12-Jun: Argentina vs Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT)
17-Jun: Greece vs Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT)
22-Jun: Nigeria vs. South Korea 7:30pm (GMT)
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