With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 100 days away, its time to breakdown the nations that will be participating in The Great Tournament. Continuing the Group B previews with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.



Official Name: Nigeria Football Association

Nickname: The Super Eagles

FIFA Confederation: CAF (Africa)

FIFA Code: NGA

How They Qualified: Won Group B of African Final Stage Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 4

Best WC Finish: USA 1994 & France 1998, Eliminated Round of 16

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 11: 4W - 1D - 6L

Head Coach: Lars Lagerbäck

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Mudashiru Lawal (86)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Rashidi Yekini (37)

Brief Footballing History:
Nigeria is a continental power having won the African Cup of Nations twice in 1980 & 1994 and have reached the semis of the African Cup of Nations in 4 of the last 5 editions. The Nigerian style of flying, athletic, attacking football has justified their nickname of The Super Eagles.

Internationally, Nigeria has had a massive impact as well. The West African nation was the 1st African nation to win an Olympic Gold Medal when they defeated Argentina in the 1996 Atlanta Games. It started a trend, as 3 of the last 4 Olympic finals have featured an African team. Nigeria's youth program is excellent as it has produced 3 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Championships and 6 appearances in the final match of that tournament while developing players plying their craft in the top leagues in Europe.

Player To Watch:
Nigeria has a glut of young and experienced attacking talent but the player to watch just got his 1st cap in early March and could be the surprise spark in Nigeria's attack in South Africa. His name is Peter Utaka.


Peter is the younger brother of Portsmouth striker, John Utaka. Peter has quietly played his way into the view of the Nigerian national team coaches with his impressive goal scoring record in the Belgian League and currently in the Danish League with Odense Boldklub. He got his 1st cap recently in March and scored the opening goal and set up the 2nd goal in a 5-2 friendly victory against Congo DR. His form at the club level and his performance in his 1st cap could mean a World Cup callup.

Outlook:
Nigeria just recently experienced a change at the head coach position as long time Sweden national team coach Lars Lagerbäck replaced Shaibu Amodu. Amodu was fired by the Nigerian FA despite qualifying The Super Eagles for the World Cup and a surprise 3rd place finish in the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Lagerbäck will have little time to build chemistry with a side that many consider less talented than previous Nigerian teams. Nigeria will be the biggest matchup problem for their opposition in Group B.

Final 23-Man WC Roster:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg), Danny Shittu (Bolton)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Haruna Lukman (Monaco), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev)

Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (Hoffenheim).

WC Group Schedule:
June 12 vs. Argentina
June 17 vs. Greece
June 22 vs. Korea Republic (S. Korea)

Next preview in Group B is Korea Republic