2010 World Cup Preview Group B: Nigeria
By Ty Duffy
Country: Nigeria
Nickname: Super Eagles
Rankings: 20 (FIFA) 32 (SPI)
Elite Players: NA
Key Players: Joseph Yobo, John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Taiye Taiwo, Vincent Enyeama
History: Second Round 1994, 1998 Qualified 2002
Odds to Win: 100-1
“Art is man’s constant effort to create for himself a different order of reality from that which is given to him.” – Chinua Achebe
Nigeria emerged on the World Stage in the 1990’s. Led by “the African magician” Jay Jay Okacha, they made the World Cup knockout rounds in 1994 and 1998, including a famous 3-2 win over Spain. They won the 1994 African Nations Cup and Gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics. They did so playing flashy, exciting soccer. This team could not be more different.
Age is Relative: Nigeria perpetually appears to be rising. They have been the most successful country at U-17 level the past 25 years, making the finals of six U-17 World Cups and winning three. That success has never been replicated at senior level, because players routinely lie about their ages. It’s similar Latin American baseball. A good player who is 22 or 23 in the Nigerian league goes unnoticed. The same good player pretending to be 17 gets international exposure, becomes a hot commodity and signs for big money. When wrist-scans began before the last U-17 World Cup, Nigeria was forced to drop 15 players for being too old.
This can be seen with members of the current squad. Obafemi Martins looked to be a stud in the making as an 18-year-old at Inter Milan. Now, when he should be in his prime at 25, he struggles to make the first team at Wolfsburg. A few years ago the Nigerian FA website “accidentally” listed his birth year as 1978 rather than 1984. His career path would make far more sense, if he was 31.
New Coach: After considering serial candidate Sven-Goran Eriksson and others, Nigeria hired longtime Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck. He qualified Sweden for five consecutive tournaments before 2010. He led Sweden out of the group stage in Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. His Sweden teams were disciplined, organized and often played above their talent. However, he coached in the Swedish setup for nearly 20 years. He has one match and a few weeks of training to organize the senior Nigeria squad.
Sturdiness: It makes me queasy describing a team of black men as strong, fast and athletic, but those are the most apt descriptions. The key man up front will be “the Yak,” Yakubu Ayegbeni. The Everton striker was among the most proficient goalscorers in the Premier League, before tearing an achilles tendon in Nov. 2008. He struggled with form and fitness this season, seldom lasting a full 90 minutes. Yakubu should be supported by a runner, either Peter Odemwingie or Obafemi Martins. Kanu will be there for his experience, hopefully not to play.
Unlike past World Cups, Nigeria should be able to hold teams. They have a strong midfield anchored by Chelsea’s defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel, a strong back four featuring Joseph Yobo and underrated goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Their problem is creativity. They must find some way to challenge opposing defenses. This could be Marseilles right-back Taiye Taiwo bombing forward. It could be inserting a creative player, such as Kalu Uche. It could also be John Obi Mikel assuming a more advanced role.
Conclusion: Nate Silver’s numbers make Nigeria clear second favorites. I think the “playing on the same continent” factor may be overstated. The senior Nigeria squad has not scored more than one goal against a team in the World Cup since they beat South Africa 2-0 in June 2008. They have not scored two against a team that qualified, since a 2-2 draw with Mexico in October 2007. Nigeria has the potential to advance from the group, especially if Yakubu hits a hot-streak. Though, they have players in uncertain form and a manager with one match to prepare. The stars do not appear to be aligning.
Random Fact: Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world, and a larger population than Russia.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile