World Cup: Nigeria player by player
June 1, 2002
Unpredictable Nigeria have the strikers to progress in the finals.
World Soccer News
GOALKEEPERS
IKE SHORUNMU
A broken wrist saw him miss the 1998 World Cup finals and has found himself in French football after quitting Besiktas in a row last year. That move rescued his international career as has the return of Adegboye Onigbinde as coach. Good all-round game and well ahead of his rivals in terms of experience.
AUSTIN EJIDE
Young and inexperienced outside Nigerian club football. Ejide is part of the new talent being tried by coach Onigbinde although his chances of actually appearing are slim outside of injury to first choice Shorunmu.
VINCENT ENYEAMA
The Enyimba goalkeeper is the current third choice but was almost tried out during World Cup qualifiers as two previous Nigeria coaches tried to find a replacement for Shorunmu who was languishing in reserve team football until late last year.
DEFENDERS
TARIBO WEST
Slow but determined tackler who is currently without a club but interests West Ham. Always likely to give away free kicks and penalties with his wild tackling, West may not be able to cope with the intensity of the occasion in June. Poor passer and shot, runs around banging into people and earns a fortune for it so a move to English football was inevitable. The ball itself is a minor inconvenience to his game plan of hit anything that moves. A fascinating figure.
JOSEPH YOBO
Former under-20 team star where he regularly scored as a centre forward. He has adapted well to the crises of life at OM and is a powerful runner and good tackler. Consistent centre back option.
ISAAC OKORONKWO
A player who went form Nigeria club football to play for the top team in Moldova before signing for Shakhtar in the Ukraine. Mobile and aggressive with good aerial skills who can fill-in at centre back or on the flanks and is a current first choice for Onigbinde.
CHRISTOPHER JUSTICE
One of the new stars who had forced his way into the squad last year and his position is cemented by the arrival of Onigbinde. Wide player who can contribute raids to the attack and has excellent dribbling skills.
IFEANYI UDEZE
A star defender for PAOK, the hard-running Udeze is not a first choice for Onigbinde although he can cover for several positions.
RABIU AFOLABI
Awesome centre back and imposing presence who could be a real star of the tournament if Nigeria progress. He is fast and can man-mark but usually plays in a zonal system where his positional sense helps retain possession.
ERIC EJIOFOR
Wayward presence on the flanks whose wild tackles could land him in trouble. Won the Nigerian title with Enyimba last year before moving to Israeli football and he is not a first choice.
EFE SODJE
A real find for Onigbinde, Sodje did play in a Crewe Alexandra side relegated last season but he is young and still earing and could impress scouts with his ball skills and calm tackling. Also good at heading clearances.
CELESTINE BABAYARO
Strong and fast left-sided full back, whose emergence into the Young and foolish defender who broke a leg in one of his first games for Chelsea after a big money transfer from Anderlecht in 1997. Fails to play regularly for the club with many injuries blocking his progress. Wild and inaccurate crosser and an unpredictable defender.
MIDFIELDERS
AGUSTINE OKOCHA
The central figure in the Nigeria team and their key player. He looked an outstanding talent until the 1994 Finals robbed him of some of the mystique he carried. He was used sparingly as a substitute and rarely received the ball when he did get on to the pitch and 19098 was little better for him. A fine passer who can link the whole side with his sight for runners and passes. He can make the play for the side and had a good season for PSG but wants a move to England. Onigbinde will create a pattern for midfield that brings out the best in Okocha and he really needs some part of the side to be made up with his talents in mind.
PIUS IKEDIA
A squad member as Ajax did the double in the Holland and very highly rated at the Amsterdam club. Ikedia is regarded as a top prospect and could start games in midfield for Onigbinde. Hard runner who is skillful and sets up play well to effectively help Okocha.
JAMES OBIORAH
Attacking midfielder and a cult figure at Lokomotiv Moscow where he has played for more than a year. Good tackler who can also raid forward and provide cover for advancing wing backs and Okocha.
GARBA LAWAL
Hard running midfielder who can sit in front of the defence and shield the defence from there. Tough tackler who can pass the ball well but who tends to settle for the square delivery to a team mate.
MUTIU ADEPOJU
Stand-in captain in the absence of Oliseh and another survivor from the 1994 African Nations Cup winning team. Good midfield passer who is Nigeria's most experienced player.
BENEDICT AKWUEGBU
Plays in China with Shenyeng and his inclusion shows Onigbinde does not ignore more mature players despite dumping the fractious influences of Finidi George and Sunday Oliseh. Mobile and fresh but of course very inexperienced at this level and regarded as a striker before he got the nod from the new coach to drop back.
FEMI OPABUNMI
Inconsistent wide player who is not a first choice and was excluded by previous coaches. Reasonable crosser but not noted for hard work and team play.
STRIKERS
NWANKO KANU
The heart of the Nigerian attack who, thankfully, has recovered from heart problems of his own. One of the best players of his generation, he won the European Cup at age 18 with Ajax, Kanu is not a regular at Arsenal and looks lazy but he is a great improvisational finisher and very fast with long legs covering the ground with a distinctive high stepping action. A contender to be to scorer at the finals if Nigeria progress.
JULIUS AGHAHOWA
The new star of African football and the bids for this young striker could come to dominate the transfer speculation at this World Cup. He has improved as a player at Shakhtar Donetsk who want top dollar for him. Great scoring record and powerful finisher with speed, awareness and physical strength.
BARTHLOMEW OGBECHE
PSG youth who is coveted already by clubs in Italy. Ogbeche is a tricky runner who can use speed and anticipation to find himself space in the penalty area. Excellent finisher and good all-round play make him one player to watch at the finals although he may be used only as a substitute.
JOHN UTAKA
Al-Saad winger plucked from obscurity by Onigbinde ahead of several more experienced strikers. Unlikely to start and no real threat to the senior stars around him all of whom can justifiably be called world class. A surfeit of midfielders and defenders means a fourth striker was needed and Onigbinde made his choice