The Road to South Africa

Considering that Nigeria did not lose a game and kept four clean sheets out of six matches, this was a rather more fraught journey than it should have been. Only one team would go through from Group B and it was a straight fight between Nigeria and Tunisia. The Super Eagles went into their final match needing to beat Kenya in Nairobi. With eight minutes remaining, the scored was 2-2 before a typical piece of brilliance from Martins saw them through. That, however, proved only the start of their troubles.

The Star Players

Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza) Scored more goals than anyone else in qualification and has spent nearly a decade in Spain with Ferrol, Recrativo Huelva and Getafe, although he has been troubled by a knee injury.

Joseph Yobo (Everton) The loss of central defender, Yusuf Mohammed, who ruptured an Achilles tendon during the Africa Cup of Nations means there is more pressure on a man who has been a fulcrum of the Nigerian defence for a decade.

Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga) One of the few positives to emerge from Nigeria's disappointing display in the Africa Cup of Nations. Nsofor is a striker good enough to be bought by Inter Milan who then loaned him out to Malaga.

The Coach

Lars Lagerback If you thought Argentina was a mess, Nigeria makes the Diego Maradona's position appear like an ocean of tranquillity. Just as they did before the 2002 World Cup, Nigeria sacked the coach who got them there – and it was the same man, Shaibu Amodu who was fired. What did for Amodu was a distinctly unimpressive qualification campaign and a jittery Africa Cup of Nations. Since Nigeria's best World Cups in 1994 and 1998 were under foreign coaches, it was no surprise that they looked abroad, bringing in Lars Lagerback, who had led Sweden in two World Cups, including 2002, where they qualified for the knockout stages at Nigeria's expense. He did, however, fail to get Sweden to South Africa, an irony that would not be lost on Amodu.

Honours

World Cup: Round of 16 1994, 1998.
Africa Cup of Nations: Winners 1980, 1994. Runners-up 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000.

Analysis

When Shaibu Amodu took over for this fourth and presumably final stint as Nigeria's head coach he said he had inherited a collection of individuals rather than a team. However, if his successor can motivate the Super Eagles, they do have the talent to progress and Argentina would do well to treat them with caution in the opening fixtures at Ellis Park. If they don't or if Nigeria avoid a demoralising defeat, then the remaining games – especially the second in Bloemfontein against Greece – are winnable. Nigeria have the ability but do they have the belief?

Verdict

Squad (3/5)
Nigeria have considerable ability but seldom put it to any use

Coach (2/5)
Lagerback is a safe pair of hands but he has weeks to get to know his squad

Attack: (3/5)
Capable of snatching goals from nowhere

Defence (2/5)
Looks lightweight