CAN 2008 Preview - Nigeria

If the FIFA rankings are to be believed, Nigeria are the strongest team in Africa. Currently ranked 19th in the listing made by FIFA, 6 places ahead of Cameroon on the global list, 19 ahead of the Ivory Coast and a full 24 in front of the hosts Ghana, Nigeria therefore should be considered as red hot favourites for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations.

But whilst the squad is packed full of quality players, including several potent strikers, the balance of the side doesn't look quite right. For that reason Nigeria haven’t exactly been placed in the category of tournament favourites in the way that the Ivory Coast, Ghana or Cameroon have.

Nigeria have recorded the highest position in African largely thanks to their consistent performances in recent editions of the tournament, recording three third place finishes in the last three African Cups. However, football doesn't recognise bronze medals - except in the theoretical world of FIFA rankings - and the truth is that over the past 15 seasons since Nigeria started this golden generation the trend has been largely downwards.

Nigeria burst onto the scene in 1994 when they qualified for their first ever World Cup in America, reaching the second round before going out to eventual winners Italy. Then, they subsequently won the Olympic Gold in Atlanta two years later. 1994 also saw Nigeria win their last African Cup of Nations, but tournaments after that were ruined after Nigeria withdrew in 1996 and disqualified from the 1998 tournament as a result.

Nigeria, then, had never quite been able to take the final step and fulfil Pele's prediction that an African team would win the World Cup before the turn of the century. The World Cup in 1998 saw them qualify again from the group stages, going out again in the second round to Denmark, whilst the 2000 edition of the African Cup of Nations saw them finish as runners-up despite enjoying home advantage.

The World Cup in 2002 was a disappointing affair after they were placed into the Group of Death along with England, Sweden and Argentina. Indeed, they exited at the first round stage with only 1 point from their three games. Since then Nigeria have always been in the semi-final stages of the African Cup but have never quite had enough to make the final, losing to eventual winners in both 2002 and 2004, Cameroon and Tunisia respectively, and to the Ivory Coast in 2006.

Under Berti Vogts. Nigeria comfortably qualified for the tournament. finishing top of Group 3 amassing 15 points from their 6 games, their only loss coming away to Uganda in June. Friendly results have been acceptable, beating Sudan and Switzerland but losing to Australia.

The question is for this generation, can they bestow themselves with an international title? The team is largely composed of players based in Europe and there isn't one locally based player in the squad. Teams under Berti Vogts have always had a reputation of being defensively solid with not too much going forward, but that accusation can't be levelled at Vogts this time after he called up 8 out-and-out strikers into his selection. Whether this is just because there is a lack of Nigerian talent in defence and midfield or because he genuinely believes attack is the best way is open to debate but ,inadvertently or otherwise, Nigeria are going to be obliged to press forward.

Although Vogts played 4-4-2 when in charge of Scotland during a disappointing spell the sheer number of strikers and central midfielders along with an almost total absence of wingers suggests that Vogts is contemplating a 4-3-3 formation with Kanu as a spearhead.

In goal Vincent Enyeama will be probable first choice. He has 35 caps and is currently with Hapoel Tel Aviv having recently earned himself a lucrative transfer to one of Israel's top clubs after an excellent spell with Bnei Yehuda. Enyeama helped his Nigerian club side Eniyamba to successive African Champions League victories in 2003 and 2004 and was also back-up for the World Cup in 2002. Following in Enyeama's footsteps at Bnei Yehuda is back-up Dele Aiyenugba. Third choice will be Bastia based Austin Ejide, who with 12 caps, is also an experienced keeper despite being only 23 years old.

Defensively the best known player is former Marseille and current Everton centre back Joseph Yobo. A formidable defender, Yobo has become a first choice at Goodison Park after his arrival maturing into a solid player as well as a potent threat at set pieces thanks to his ability in the air. The centre-back place alongside Yobo is still up for grabs with OGC Nice defender Onyekachi Apam leading the way. Apam is first choice for his club Nice and is a near-ever present for the side currently occupying a solid 5th place in Ligue 1.

Another possibility is Watford centre-back Danny Shittu, who has been in fine fettle this season helping his side to the top of the table in the Championship as they look to bounce back to the Premiership at the first attempt. Shittu has only 3 caps but at the age of 27 has the chance to stake a first team spot for his adopted country. Finally Vogts may consider the Steaua Bucharest and former Partizan Belgrade defender Ifeyani Emeghara, who at 23 will also see this as a chance to state his claims alongside Yobo.

Left back duties will be taken care of by the exciting Taye Taiwo. A through back to some of the more exuberant African defenders of recent years Taiwo loves to bomb forward and is sometimes caught upfield if the opposition attack down the right wing. Taiwo also fancies himself as a Roberto Carlos clone with his free-kicks, and although he generates plenty of power with his cannonball shots they are seldom in danger of troubling the opposition goalkeeper!

On the right side of defence, the highly rated Rabiu Afolabi, currently with French side Sochaux, should be first choice. Afolabi helped his side win the French Cup last season and is being followed by a number of Europe's top clubs.

The midfield players called up are predominantly central ones with Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel the best known. Mikel has claimed a regular first team spot this season at Stamford Bridge after arriving in controversial circumstances from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo, with Manchester United claiming he had also signed for them. Eventually Mikel was allowed to join Chelsea and he has developed into a hugely promising player during his spell in West London.



He will be joined by Sunderland based Dickson Etuhu, who has 14 appearances for Roy Keane’s side under his belt after joining in the summer from Norwich. Etuhu started his career with Manchester City and was also with Preston North End, playing the majority of his football in the Championship. Although Sunderland find themselves in some relegation trouble, Etuhu has looked a decent player helping out defensively as well as getting forward to good effect.

Seyi Olofinjana also came to England via Norwegian football, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Brann after turning down an offer to join Monaco. Olofinjana, like Etuhu, is a true box to box midfielder and will be seen at both ends of the pitch.

Other midfield options include the controversial figure of Onyekachi Okonkwo, currently with Swiss side FC Zurich. Okonkwo is another of the Eniyamba players who broke through in the wake of their successive victories in the African Champions League, firstly joining South African side Orlando Pirates. An unsettled two year spell there was blighted with several sendings-off: one time in the wake of a red card in the South African Super Cup, he had threatened to kill the referee, who had sent him from the field.

His arrival in Europe was also troubled after he left German team 1. FC Koln after just 1 week, claiming he was there for no more than a 7 day trial while the club insisted he had signed a 4 year deal. The matter was eventually resolved, and Okonkwo appears to have settled down for the time being in Switzerland.

Up front Nigeria are blessed with some excellent options, who are both good in the air and quick. Berti Vogts will have his hands full getting the best out of the diverse range of forwards available to him.

Now 31, Kanu may view this tournament as his last chance to win a notable prize with his country - the Olympics in 1996 excepted - and his presence will be key. More than just an excellent target man, Kanu loves the ball to his feet and his thoughtful use of the ball ensures that his fellow strikers are also brought into play. Accustomed to play as the central forward with two beside him at Portsmouth, he will most likely have the same role assigned to him in Ghana.



Through the centre Nigeria could also call up Yakubu and Stephen Makinwa. Both are less mobile than Kanu but possess more of a physical presence. Yakubu should be well known to English fans after spells with Portsmouth and Middlesbrough and now with Everton since his £11 move in the summer. The terrace chant goes “feed the Yak, and he will score” and this is certainly true in the green of Nigeria, with 14 goals in 32 caps, including 3 in qualifying.

Makinwa isn’t first choice at his club side Lazio but may get more of a look in if Goran Pandev moves to Bayern in the winter transfer window. Makinwa also managed to grab a goal during qualifying getting on the score sheet in the 2-0 win against Lesotho.

The fourth central option is Getafe-based Ikechukwu Uche, who joined Michael Laudruss’ team in the summer after an excellent spell with Recreativo Huela. Scoring 21 goals in 73 league games Uche showed his finishing ability but has found the going harder since arriving in Madrid for Getafe, managing only 1 Liga goal this season so far in an injury-hit campaign.

Kanu’s striking colleague at club level, John Utaka, may get the nod from the left side. Utaka has enjoyed an outstanding 6 months with Portsmouth after arriving from French football, where he failed to justify a £6 million transfer fee splashed out on him by Rennes.

Another left sided option is Peter Odemwinge, currently with Lokomotiv Moscow. The former Lille striker has only hit the back of the net 4 times in his 14 games for the Russian team, but banged in 23 in 75 for his former French side Lille after coming to them from Belgian football. Both Utaka and Odemwingwe are lightning fast, but the latter may just get the nod as he can play as a left winger as well as a striker.

On the right, Vogts could opt for Obafemi Martins also based in England with Newcastle since his £9.5 million transfer in the summer of 2006 from Inter Milan. Martins hasn’t enjoyed playing as a right sided forward with Newcastle this season looking occasionally disinterested. Nevertheless his record of 13 goals in 19 caps speaks for itself. With Kanu a more mobile striker than Mark Viduka, his club team-mate, Martins may find there is greater scope for drifting into the middle, thus being more effective.



Victor Obinna is the final striking option and could be used if Martins fails to sparkle on the right side. Currently plying his trade in Serie B with Chievo, Obinna has been linked with a move to Manchester United, so this tournament could represent an excellent chance for the 21 year old to further his reputation.

If Vogts can get the best out of the talented strikers at his disposal, Nigeria may yet taste glory. However, striking the balance between attack and defence will be a tricky path for Vogts to navigate. Eschewing wingers altogether could be a risky tactic as this will encourage Taiwo and Afolabi forward ,potentially leaving Nigeria exposed to quick counter attacks.

Nigeria will have to be on their mettle right from the outset as they have been drawn into a tough looking Group B along with Benin, Mali and the Ivory Coast. Both Mali and the Ivory Coast have sufficient attacking resources to potentially ruffle Nigeria’s defence, and the match between Nigeria and Mali will go a long way to determining who will progress from the Group Stages.

With so many attacking players in the team Nigeria will have to retain possession for lengthy periods if they are to prevent the like of Fredi Kanoute and Didier Drogba causing them problems so there will be pressure both on Kanu as targetman and the midfield to supply him with balls he can get onto.

Main man – Kanu: if possession is going to be key to Nigeria’s success then Kanu will have to play a key role in holding the ball up in the final third and setting up attacks

Prediction: quarter finalists but equally could end up winners if the attack fires