FIFA World Cup 2010
Nigeria
 nigeriaNigeria Football Federation (Nigeria Football Federation) Confederation: CAF (Africa) Head coach: Lars Lagerbäck Captain: Nwankwo Kanu Top scorer: Rashidi Yekini FIFA ranking: 20 World Cup Appearances: 3 Team Colors: Best Results
World Cup Round of 16, 1994, 1998 African Nations Cup Winners, 1980, 1994 Olympic medal record Gold 1996 |
This is Nigeria’s fourth participation in a World Cup event. This is a team that in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups presented a united and intelligent squad when facing their opponents.
For the 2010 World Cup, their expectations are more reserved.
The Green Eagles finished third in the African Nations Cup. This tournament prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to call Mr. Lars Lagerback as the new head coach.
The Federation is demanding nothing more or less than qualifying to the semifinals. Now the team is concentrated for the difficult matches they will play in group B.
Qualifying Stage
Nigeria had a disheartening scoreless draw in the first match against Mozambique. This put Nigeria against the ropes when facing Kenya. In the final game of the series, Kenya went ahead with a 2-0.
This would mean the immediate elimination of the Nigerian squad. However, the desire to be part of the World Cup fest inspired its star player Obafemi Martins.
He entered the game from the bench to turn the match in favor of Nigeria. In the field of the Nyayo National Stadium, at the second half, Obafemi Martins scored two goals to achieve a tie and then Yakubu Ayegbeni sentenced the 3-2 to ensure their classification to South Africa.
Players
The Green Eagles, as the Nigerian team has been called, has a very strong lineup. Its forwards provide a fast attack and future players like the striker of English football Premiere League, Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Everton), who along with his colleagues Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow) on one side, and Victor Obinna (Málaga CF) in the other, are prepared to face the opposing defenses. In the middle of the field is an fundamental player, Jon Obi Mikel, an experienced player who excels in Chelsea.
Head Coach
Shaibu Amodu appointment as Nigeria’s Head Coach generated many doubts among the specialized press. He earned harsh criticism at the start of the tournaments in which Nigeria participated.
The ex-coach guided the team to the 2002 World Cup, and led them to the African Cup semifinals. Despite of having been fired and been substituted by the Swede Lars Lagerback, it’s because of both coaches efforts that Nigeria has the opportunity to participate at the 2010 South Africa World Cup.