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World-Coaching change makes life hard for Nigeria
ABUJA, May 18 (Reuters) - With arguably the best draw of the six African nations at the World Cup, Nigeria should have high hopes of progressing into the second round.
A change of coach only months before the finals in South Africa, however, disrupted preparations for the Super Eagles and the incoming Lars Lagerback had little time to get to know his squad.
Lagerback, who took his native Sweden to the last two World Cups, has been charged with giving Nigeria back a winning edge, something that was missing at their last tournament, the African Nations Cup finals in January in Angola.
There they limped along, devoid of confidence and disjointed in their approach. It took several turns of good fortune for them to reach the semi-finals but they never looked potential winners.
When they went home with bronze medals, coach Shaibu Amodu was fired.
Nigeria have advanced past the opening group stage twice in their three previous World Cup finals appearances, evidence of the potential of Africa's most populous nation.
This time they are drawn in Group B, where Argentina are the favourites but both Greece and South Korea are seen as beatable.
Nigeria demolished the Greeks in the United States in 1994 when both countries were making their maiden World Cup finals appearance.
Nigeria have been unable to find anyone to successfully fill the midfield playmaking role previously occupied by Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh.
The current squad have an excess of defensively-minded, ball-winning, holding midfielders but none who have the ability to dictate the pace of the game from behind the forward line, spray incisive passes and set up clever opportunities.
This leaves the formidable strike pairing of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins without the service to match their ability. Nigeria does have strong attacking players on the flanks to unlock defences and a tough defensive unit, albeit prone to the occasional extravagant gaffe.
Fullback Taye Taiwo, who lost his place during the Nations Cup but is still expected to be a starter for Nigeria's opener against Argentina on June 12, has a formidable shot that is most effective at free kicks. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Johannesburg;
World-Factbox on Nigeria
May 18 (Reuters) - Factbox on Nigeria who are competing in Group B at the World Cup in South Africa:
Colours: Green shirts, socks and shorts, all with white trim
Nickname: Super Eagles
Previous World Cup appearances: 3: 1994, 1998, 2002
Best World Cup performance: Reached the second round in 1994 and 1998
Coach: Lars Lagerback
Most capped player: Nwankwo Kanu 83
Top goalscorer: Rashidi Yekini 37
Talking points:
Nigeria changed their coach yet again at the end of February, giving the new incumbent, Swede Lagerback, little time to prepare for the World Cup. His predecessor, Shaibu Amodu, was sacked after the team lost to Ghana in the African Nations Cup semi-finals. The same fate befell Amodu in 2002 when he was fired months before the World Cup and replaced by Festus Onigbinde.
Nigeria have always been a country of much potential but the kneejerk reaction of officials to setbacks means there is little chance to build continuity.
Players to watch:
A powerful strike force gives Nigeria fearsome potential with Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins having the potential to unlock any defence, and they are supplemented by the wing play of Chinedu Obasi and Peter Odemwingie.
John Obi Mikel should recover from injury in time and be the key midfielder, although Nigeria make him push too far forward where his lack of pace and incisive passing counts against him. (Compiled by Mark Gleeson in Johannesburg; Editing by Clare Fallon;
Nigeria Squad - Coach Lars Lagerback Leaves Ike Uche And Victor Anichebe Out Of Final 23
Joining the duo are Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam, Brown Ideye and the two domestic players Bassey Akpan and Terna Suswan.
The Swede announced the list to the players at a meeting where he called the affected players together and explained to them why they were being dropped.
"He called them together and explained that time was too short, and that injuries were also a factor," Super Eagles Media Officer Idah Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com.
More importantly, Peterside said Lagerback assured the players that in the unlikely event of injury to any player on the 23-man squad before kickoff, he would look no farther than that seven-man group. The contingent leaves for South Africa later today.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group B alongside Argentina, Greece and South Korea.Goalkeepers -
Vincent Enyeama Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR)
Dele Ayenugba Beni Yehuda (ISR)
Austin Ejide Hapoel Petah Tikvah (ISR)
Defenders -
Taye Taiwo Marseille (FRA)
Joseph Yobo Everton (ENG)
Danny Shittu Bolton Wanderers (ENG)
Elderson Echiejile Rennes (FRA)
Ayodele Adeleye Sparta Rotterdam (NED)
Chidi Odiah CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Rabiu Afolabi SV Salzburg (AUS)
Midfielders -
Nwankwo Kanu Portsmouth (ENG)
Dickson Etuhu Fulham (ENG)
Mikel John Obi Chelsea (ENG)
Sani Kaita Alanya (RUS)
Yusuf Ayila Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Kalu Uche Almeria (SPA)
Haruna Lukman Monaco (FRA)
Forwards -
Yakubu Ayegbeni Everton (ENG)
Chinedu Obasi Hoffenheim (GER)
Obafemi Martins Wolfsburg (GER)
Obinna Nsofor Malaga (SPA)
John Utaka Portsmouth (ENG)
Osaze Odemwingie Lokomotiv (RUS)
Trainer
Lars Lagerbäck
Goalkeeper
16 Austin Ejide
1 Vincent Enyeama
23 Dele Aiyenugba
Defender
2 Joseph Yobo
5 Rabiu Afolabi
8 Yakubu Aiyegbeni
6 Danny Shittu
17 Chidi Odiah
3 Taye Taiwo
22 Dele Adeleye
21 Uwa Echiejile
Midfielder
4 Nwankwo Kanu
20 Dickson Etuhu
12 Kalu Uche
13 Ayila Yussuf
19 Chinedu Obasi
14 Sani Kaita
15 Lukman Haruna
Forward
4 Nwankwo Kanu
8 Yakubu Aiyegbeni
7 John Utaka
9 Obafemi Martins
11 Peter Odemwingie
19 Chinedu Obasi
18 Obinna
10 Ideye Brown
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