Kanu's combination of height and bewildering close control for a tall man make him a dangerous customer.

And the threat is not lost on the Valencia defender who has found him hard to handle in the past.

"He's a rare player because he's so tall and yet has so much skill on the ball," said Ayala.

"He goes one way, then the other. You're never quite sure what he's going to do."

Argentina's Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has plenty of respect for Nigeria, who had a closed training session at their Kanagawa training camp before flying to Ibaraki.

The Super Eagles beat Spain 3-2 at France 98 and two years earlier saw off Argentina themelves with an injury time winner in the final of the Atlanta Olympics.

Veron said: "Perhaps they lack some tactical organisation at times but they have truly great players who have joined clubs abroad. They can make life difficult for you."

Kanu apart, Nigeria can call on the likes of Paris St Germain's Jay-Jay Okocha, former AC Milan centre-back Taribo West and Chelsea wing-back Celestine Babayaro.

They have plenty of talent but indiscipline threatens to undermine their progress.

New coach Adeboye Onigbinde insists the mood in the camp is positive however.

"The squad appear happy and relaxed," he said. "Spirits are high."