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Home|South Africa 2010|Travel|Guide|Groups|Group B|Nigeria
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South Africa World Cup 2010 Group B: Nigeria
GROUP B
NigeriaRoad to South AfricaIt was tense and tight until the final minutes. The initial round was a blast for Nigeria as they won all six games against South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone to put themselves in a group that didn't look too bad. Finishing first ahead of Mozambique, Tunisia and Kenya was not easy, Tunisia are a tricky team, but as Africa's most successful World Cup nation, expectations were high. It didn't go too well and a draw in Mozambique put the Super Eagles on the back foot as did two draws against Tunisia, one a desperate last-minute equaliser that plunged Lagos and other cities into depression. Going into the final game, Nigeria were second behind Tunisia and the chance of qualification was out of their hands, if the Carthage Eagles won in Maputo, there was nothing Nigeria could do. Tunisia didn't win and a late goal from Obafemi Martins in Kenya sent Nigeria to South Africa.
Fixtures
Nigeria v Argentina 12 June; Johannesburg AnalysisThis team may not match the swagger and the skill of the nineties version but they are still good going forward and should still be able to score goals in South Africa. As well as the likes of Martins and Ayegbeni of Everton there are other forwards who ply their trade in some of Europe's best leagues such as Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow), Victor Obinna (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim) and Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza). It is at the back where Greece, Argentina and South Korea may find some joy. A settled backline has been hard to find and a leakage of goals has resulted. It also remains to be seen how the uncertainty over the future of the coach affects the team. At the moment, morale and confidence are not high and a poor start in South Africa could have Nigeria out of the competition early. In the past, Nigeria have had similar problems but have often been able to get out of tight spots due to the individual moment of magic from one of their stars. That is still a possibility but the stars are less these days as are the potential for wizardry. Nigeria performed erratically and unconvincingly at the African Nations Cup but managed to reach the semi-finals before losing to Ghana. All the old problems were there though, the lack of teamwork, players playing for themselves and a tendency to blame others when results go badly. In the end though, an inability to take chances when they came cost the Super eagles. All in all, though, Nigeria were lucky to make it as far as they did.
Key player: Obafemi MartinsNigeria are better going forward than retreating which is why their strikers need to be on song if the Super Eagles are going to make inroads in South Africa. The former Newcastle United star showed during qualification that he can get the goals just when they are needed. Still quick and direct, he is, when fit and in form, a dangerous striker. He will be licking his lips when faced with what look like fairly ponderous Argentine, Greek and Korean defences. One to watch: Osaze OdemwingieNot perhaps as well-known as some of Nigeria's other players plying their trade in Europe, Osaze Odemwingie is highly-rated both in Russia, where he plays for Lokomotiv Moscow and back in his native Nigeria where he was named his country's Player of the Year in 2009. The striker gives everything for the team and is as unselfish in front of goal as he is composed.
Coach: Lars LagerbackMatters are never smooth with Nigeria and Shaibu Amodu was replaced by ex-Sweden coach Lars Lagerback in February. An unconvincing qualification campaign only increased calls for a foreign coach and a quick glance through the Nigerian media reveals all kinds of names were thrown into hats. Guus Hiddink's was one and fellow Dutchman Jo Bonfrere declared his interest in returning to his old team. Lagerback beat off competition from fellow Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson, Glenn Hoddle and former Senegal coach Bruno Metsu. Shaibu Amodu had an amazing nine spells as coach of the national team, usually as a caretaker figure who holds the fort until a foreigner arrived and so it proved again. Despite reaching the semi-finals at the African Cup of Nations, Amodu's position didn't emerge from the competition strengthened. He was criticized by the media and by his own players for naïve and one-dimensional tactics. "There was no logic in our game and that's why we could not win," was one barb from Peter Odemwingie. Record2002 First round; 1994 & 1998 Second round FIFA RankingPredictions & Latest OddsWe think they'll struggle to get out of the group. How they qualifiedWon group B in the African qualifying zone. On the sidelines Drew 0-0 with England at the 2002 World Cup in Japan. Soccerphile saysNigeria are not the team they used to be but in a tight-looking Group B anything could happen. Facing Argentina first could be a blessing as the Africans may be able to catch the South Americans cold. Appearing on African soil will at least give the Super Eagles a greater level of support than they are accustomed to at World Cup. But while many observers may select Nigeria to take the second spot behind Diego Maradona's men, there is a sense that this is not going to Nigeria's year. The SquadGoalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikvah), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv)
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