Nigeria World Cup Squad Preview

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 09 June 2010 14:52

World Cup Squad Previews

Nigeria reached the quarter-final stages of the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. However, after soaring to those heady heights, the Super Eagles had their wings clipped in 2002 and failed to climb out of their group. In 2006, they were grounded further and didn't even qualify. This time they're back, but I don't expect them to ruffle any feathers in South Africa. 

Nigeria were expected to glide through qualification, but didn't find the opposition such easy prey. A number of draws held them back and they just about edged out Tunisia to make it to South Africa. They were unconvincing in qualifying, and the subsequent disappointing showing at the African Cup of Nations in 2009 continued their poor form and ultimately led to the removal of coach Shaibu Amodu.

New coach Lars Lagerback has kept faith with the majority of the squad that qualified, with many names familiar to the Premier League. Everton defender Joseph Yobo captains the side, and he is joined by his Goodison team-mate Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Veteran striker Nwankwo Kanu is included, and there is also a recall for fellow Pompey man John Utaka, who was omitted from the African Cup of Nations squad. Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu and Bolton defender Danny Shittu also make the party. Chelsea's John Mikel Obi has failed to recover from injury in time and will not play any part in South Africa.

Many Nigerian fans would like to see some of the 2007 under-17 World Cup winning squad promoted to the first team. Previous coach Amodu was criticized for not giving youth a chance, and Lagerback has responded by calling up the captain of that team, Lukman Haruna.

Nigeria will face Argentina, Greece and South Korea in Group B. Their opening clash with Argentina on June 12 is certainly one to look forward to. The Super Eagles can be tough opposition on their day, but their squad has a somewhat aging feel to it, and can be very hit and miss. Obafemi Martins anyone? There has been a lot of talk of an African team doing well in South Africa. Well here's one for you. What are the odds on no African team qualifying from the group stages? I think it's worth a flutter.

Check out all the latest odds on Nigeria's progress 

**Editors note No African nations to make it out of the Group Stages is currently 10/1 on Betfair

Nigeria squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva,Israel)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria)

Midfielders: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), John Utaka (Portsmouth, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain) 

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