Chris Maduewesi
Member
The stakes are high,and they more than any other person understand the enormous pressures placed on their shoulders by the mammoth Nigerian fans who are very demanding of their team.
So we have done a profile of each of the 23 Super Eagles players that coach Stephen Keshi has listed for the World Cup tournament in Brazil,and what they will be bringing to the team.
Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama:
At 31,Vincent is not only the second most capped player at 91 appearances for the Super Eagles but also one of the most experienced. The Lille FC shot stopper announced his presence on the world stage with an appearance at the 2002 World Cup in Nigeria's last game against England.
Since then he has not looked back and Nigeria will be hoping that he is in good shape to stop all the fiery darts thrown at him,remember the last World Cup against Argentina?
This will be his third World Cup for Nigeria
Austin Ejide:
He is a dependable replacement for Enyeama in goal,but that howler in a friendly against Scotland has cast some aspersions.
Ejide alongside Enyeama made his international debut in 2002,but the latter has been the preferred choice in goal.
Playing in his third World Cup tournament,Ejide will be hoping to gain some game-time,however it is largely dependent whether Enyeama cops an injury or the coach thinks otherwise.
The 32-year old Hapoel Beer Sheva goalkeeper has won 30 caps for Nigeria.
Chigozie Agbim:
Has been given so much sticks by the fan,but Keshi has stuck to his guns. The 29-year old Gombe United goalkeeper was made the fall-guy in Nigeria's third-place finish at the 2014 African Nations Championship(CHAN) in South Africa.
At 5 caps and obviously the third choice goalkeeper,it will be hard seeing Agbim get a game in Brazil.
Defenders
Joseph Yobo:
Skipper of the team and the oldest player in the current set-up,the Fenerbahce defender will have a lot to prove to the Nigerian fans. Currently at 98 caps,Yobo is chasing a personal glory of being the first to attain 100 caps for Nigeria.
Whether he will be a starter in some games is down to Keshi,but the fact that he is in the team will bring some experiences to bear on the side.
This will be Yobo's third World Cup appearance and possibly the last,he would certainly want to make the best use of it.
Kenneth Omeruo:
The young Chelsea player,mainly responsible for Yobo's absence in the starting eleven,a lot will be expected from the 20-year old to stop the attackers from finding the net.
Had a memorable 2013 African Nations Cup,and will be hoping to make the 2014 World Cup would be more memorable.
Omeruo has won 17 caps for Nigeria will be one of the few players to have played at all levels of World Cup tournaments,starting from the under 17.
Godfrey Oboabona:
Showed that homebased players can still cut it out for Nigeria in international matches,Oboabona did not miss a game for the Super Eagles last year.
And in Omeruo,his former teammate at Sunshine Stars,they seem to have formed an understanding that stands Nigeria in good stead.
Moving to Caykur Rizespor in Turkey from Sunshine,the 23-year old has made 32 appearances for Nigeria and would be hoping to add more to it.
Azubuike Egwueke:
The Warri Wolves defender sometimes looks too big and can be outpaced by attackers. But he looks powerful and good to repel any aerial attack.
He has been a regular member of the side since Keshi became coach,and scored a crucial equaliser for Nigeria against Malawi in the World Cup qualifiers.
At 24 years of age,Egwueke has won 23 caps for Nigeria.
Kunle Odunlami:
One of the other homebased players in the team,the Sunshine Stars defender is mainly in this team because of his good showing at the CHAN championship in South Africa.
Odunlami has only won three caps for Nigeria,and could be shunted to the right back position,if Efe Ambrose is unavailable of is moved to the left back position.
He is 24 years old.
Efe Ambrose:
The Celtic defender who started as a centre half and equally plays that position for his club,will be moved to the right back for Nigeria.
At 25,Ambrose has made 38 appearances for Nigeria and would need to be cautious in his approach in order to adequately fulfill his defensive duties.
Juwon Oshaniwan:
Fate has destined that he will be the only leftback in Nigeria's squad for the World Cup. With Elderson Echiejile ruled out with an injury,Oshaniwan wouldn't get a better time to impress than this.
The 23-year old Ashdod of Israel player has made only eight appearances for Nigeria and the World Cup is definitely the time to add to that tally.
Midfielders
John Obi Mikel:
First name off the hat has to be Mikel,it is somehow startling that this will be his first World Cup tournament for Nigeria. However,many hopes will be pinned on the Chelsea player to pull all the fireworks and orchestrate play from his end.
The creativity will rest on him and he would certainly get the team going. Mikel at the age of 27,has won 60 caps and one of the most experienced in the current team.
Ogenyi Onazi:
Mikel's partner,the Lazio player will be providing defensive cover for the backline and would also be responsible for breaking play.
At 21,Onazi has won identical caps for Nigeria,21. He is an important player for the side and he will need to show it.
Ramon Azeez:
Onazi's teammate at the under-17 level,Azeez was the surprise inclusion into the Super Eagles team.
The 21-year old Almeria midfielder has only made two appearances for Nigeria,but he will definitely get games in Brazil to prove that he merits a place in the team.
Reuben Gabriel:
A player whose inclusion in the team always seems to draw up controversies,this could be a World Cup for Gabriel to seal the lips of his critics.
At 23 years of age,the Waasland-Beveren midfielder is an important player,can chase every ball and is tireless.
Reminiscent of the old Sani Kaita,Gabriel would be looking to capitalize on a chance he can get to stay in the team.
Ejike Uzoenyi:
Recalled back into the team after Elderson Echiejile was ruled out with an injury,maybe the Rangers player should never have been out of the team.
Offers trickery and pace,Uzoenyi can run down the channel and also offer defensive duties as well.
Won the best player award at the 2014 African Nations Championship(CHAN) hopefully he will replicate the same feat in Brazil.
Attackers
Shola Ameobi:
One of the oldest player in the Super Eagles team,the former Newcastle United striker at 32 will be counting his luck to have been considered for the World Cup.
Ameobi has won seven caps for Nigeria,and will be the second choice striker after Emmanuel Emenike.
Missed the 2013 Nations Cup triumph,Ameobi will have another shot at an international tournament like the World Cup,possibly his last.
Michael Babatunde:
A surprise inclusion in the squad,the Volyn Lutsk player is the one name that raises eyebrows.
It will be a tournament for the-21 year to really show that he merits his place in the squad.
Victor Moses:
To some,Victor Moses will better serve Nigeria if he learns how to quickly release the ball to others and not just cling on to it.
Making his appearance at a World Cup tournament,Moses will be looking at playing a pivotal role for the Super Eagles,knowing that lots of expectations rests on him.
The 23-year old has made 22 appearances for Nigeria and will sure be adding to that tally in Brazil. His pace will stand him out and Keshi will be hoping the Chelsea player skins defenders and is at his predatory best.
Emmanuel Emenike:
Bears Nigeria's goalscoring hopes going at the World Cup and Keshi will be banking on his prowess to deliver the goods.
Had a fantastic 2013 campaign for Nigeria that resulted in the African Nations Cup triumph where he emerged as the top scorer with four goals.
The Fenerbahce striker recently said that he is not "messiah of the team" when asked if he feels pressure with the weight of expectation on him.
At 27, Emenike has won 21 caps for the Super Eagles,breaking into the team very late. He will be hoping to replicate his Nations Cup success in Brazil.
He scored the vital goals for Nigeria in the World Cup qualification play-offs.
Ahmed Musa:
Musa on his day is a handful for opposing defenders,but his final ball decision sometimes lets him down.
The 21-year old CSKA Moscow player has won 38 caps for Nigeria and has been a regular figure in the Super Eagles team in recent years.
Could be deployed by Keshi as an impact sub at the tournament,Musa could be drafted in to run down tiring legs.
Uche Nwofor:
Came to reckoning with his goals in friendlies for Nigeria since debuting for the Super Eagles last year.
The 22-year old Heerenveen player has won six caps and scored three goals already for his country. f
He was part of the Flying Eagles team that got to the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship in Colombia three years ago
Michael Uchebo:
The 24-year old Cercle Brugge striker only made his debut for Nigeria this year in a friendly game against Mexico.
But the game that most likely got him into the team should be that against Scotland,where he scored one of the goals in the 2-2 draw.
At four caps,the former Rangers player will be hoping to take the opportunity he has been afforded to announce himself to the world.
Peter Odemwingie:
Osaze was nearly at the brink of missing the World Cup party in Brazil until a late apology to Keshi. Had a disagreement with the coaching crew and also the football federation,but a peace deal was brokered before he was brought back into the fold.
The Stoke City striker is one of the most experienced players in the team and the poster boy of Nigerian football.
Making his second appearance at the World Cup,it could be the final hurray for the former Bendel Insurance player.
Photo Credit: @NGSuperEagles
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