Nigeria World Cup Team Preview 2010

Nigeria cruised through qualifying and despite not losing a game they found themselves needing a win versus Kenya and for the team they were trailing Tunisia to lose to Mozambique. Sure enough the prayers of Nigeria were answered when Tunisia fell and Nigeria downed Kenya 3-2 with a goal coming in the 83^rd minute (see the goal here). After they had made and played well in the 1994 and 1998 tournaments they finished with only one point in 2002 and missed the World Cup completely in 2006. Nigeria went through the second and third rounds of African qualifying with a 9-0-3 record scoring twenty goals while only allowing five to their opponents. The competition in Group B will be much stronger than any of the teams they faced in that stretch of games when they are joined by the likes of Argentina, Greece, and South Korea. Nigeria cruised through qualifying and despite not losing a game they found themselves needing a win versus Kenya and for the team they were trailing Tunisia to lose to Mozambique. Sure enough the prayers of Nigeria were answered when Tunisia fell and Nigeria downed Kenya 3-2 with a goal coming in the 83rd minute (see the goal here). After they had made and played well in the 1994 and 1998 tournaments they finished with only one point in 2002 and missed the World Cup completely in 2006. Nigeria went through the second and third rounds of African qualifying with a 9-0-3 record scoring twenty goals while only allowing five to their opponents. The competition in Group B will be much stronger than any of the teams they faced in that stretch of games when they are joined by the likes of Argentina, Greece, and South Korea.

Not much is expected from this group so they should be flying under the radar but other teams should know that this team has talent and is not to be underestimated. Obafemi Martins who scored two goals in that victory of Kenya is a striker that plays for Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga and should be one of the main offensive options for the team. Some of the other stars for the Nigerian squad include Nwankwo Kanu, John Mikel Obi, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni who when healthy will be the main striker for Nigeria. Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Obinna led the team in qualifying with four goals a piece.

With their first two games coming against Argentina and Greece the Super Eagles will have to get themselves in gear immediately. A loss to group favorite Argentina presents a must win game against a solid Greek team that has its own plans of advancing to the next round of play. South Korea will not be a push over and while perhaps less talented can pull off a win. Nigeria still has inconsistencies to answer including who will coach the team with Shaibu Amodu's job possibly in jeopardy before the tournament even begins. The best outlook for this team seems to be a run to the quarterfinals but more likely is that they finish in the second spot for the group and get booted in the second round or they finish third and go home early once again.

Other Group B previews:
Argentina
Greece
South Korea