World Cup Preview - Group B - Nigeria
Nickname: "The Super Eagles"FIFA ranking: 22nd
Coach: Swede Lars Lagerback was recently appointed after Shaibu Amodu took Nigeria through qualifiers.
Game Schedule:
June 12 – Nigeria v. Argentina (Jo'burg, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 17 – Nigeria v. Greece (Bloemfontein, 10 a.m., ESPN)
June 22 – Nigeria v. South Korea (Durban, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Prospects: Every World Cup brings greater expectations for African sides, and understandably so. African nations provide much of the exciting talent that fuels teams such as Chelsea and Barcelona. Nigeria qualified top of their qualifying, albeit through a late goal on the last day. A third place in the 2010 African Nations will do Lagerbeck's side a world of confidence. Unfortunately, they've been placed in one of the more competitive World Cup groups. As usual, Nigeria have plenty of firepower through Everton's Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Wolfsburg's Obafemi Martins, but there are lots of questions about the Super Eagles back-line.
Key Player: Uzbek-born winger Peter Odemwingie, who plays at Lokomotiv Moscow, was a key element of Nigeria's run to a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Youngster to watch: Chelsea's John Obi Mikel - he'll need to keep possession in midfield when things break down up front.
Who Will Get the Goals: Feed the Yak, eh?
Who Will Get the Cards: Dogged Everton stopper Joseph Yobo.
Funniest Name - Danny Shittu: one of the greatest names in world football.
Prediction: It'll be a tight thing, but I suspect that Nigeria will be knocked out on the last day of the group stage by a more organized South Korean side.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:52 PM
2 Comments:
I only know the Nigerians that play in the English leagues.
I have to disagree with your assessment of Yobo. I've rated him for a few years as one of the Premiership's best center backs and one that I sorely would like Arsene to have poached last year after the ropey season that Gallas had to partner Vermaelen.
We seemed determined to get Haangland, but I always hoped that we'd pursue Yobo if we didn't get the Fulham man.
Nigeria, I think they're in a race with the Koreans for 2nd in this group.
I actually agree with you on Yobo. That's why I think he may have to be the guy who picks up the cards as a sacrifice to the team for a defense that as usual will be less than well-organized.
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