From a 23-man final squad here are five players who will be the key for Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil.
5. Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy)
He is one of the shinning lights in the Eagles midfield so much so that a former international Jonathan Akpoborie has already tipped him to be Eagles star man in Brazil.
The strong midfielder has made a spot in the middle of the pack his own since he replaced Fegor Ogude at AFCON 2013 when he was down with injury.
The Lazio midfielder has never looked back since then. He is a good passer of the ball, marks well and packs a decent shot from distance.
He covers every blade of grass on the pitch and has formed great partnership with Mikel Obi.
Date of Birth:25th December, 1992
Height:1.73m
Previous club: El Kanemi Juniors(Jos, Nigeria), My People Academy(Lagos)
Present club: Lazio(Italy)
4. Victor Moses (Chelsea, England)
Chelsea forward was one of the country’s top performers at AFCON 2013, where the Super Eagles emerged champions again.
Despite playing a bit role on loan at Liverpool this past season, he has not shown any signs of match rustiness so far in the Eagles warm-up matches so much so that he was the best player against Greece earlier this week.
His class is unquestionable as he dribbles well, commits his markers and weighs in with his fair share of goals for both club and country.
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Date of Birth: 12th December, 1990
Height: 1.77m
Previous clubs: Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool
Present club: Chelsea
3. Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England)
He is the main man in the Super Eagles midfield even though he is not your typical playmaker.
He was also not a regular first-teamer for Chelsea last season and may well use Brazil 2014 as a shop window to quit the EPL club after eight long years there.
Mikel's major assets are his long balls and tactical discipline. His combo with Onazi has been great.
This may be his first World Cup after injury stopped him from the 2010 tournament but with over 51 caps and four goals for Nigeria, a lot is now expected of him in the land of Samba.
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Date of birth:23rd April, 1987
Height:1.88m
Previous clubs: Plateau United(Nigeria), Ajax Cape Town(South Africa), Lyn Oslo(Norway)
Present club: Chelsea(England)
2.Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
This is the man who will carry the responsibility of scoring the goals for Nigeria in Brazil. He did it at AFCON 2013, where he emerged top scorer and his absence at FIFA Confederations Cup was sorely felt.
Emenike is a powerfully-built old fashion centre-forward, who knows his way to goal.
He will most certainly be a marked man at his first World Cup, but his wholehearted commitment to the team will again see him through.
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Date of Birth: 10th May, 1987
Height: 1.82m
Previous clubs: Delta Force(Nigeria), Black Aces(South Africa), Cape Town FC(South Africa), Karabukspor(Turkey), Spartak Moscow(Russia)
Present club: Fenerbahce(Turkey)
1.Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France)
He is without doubt one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and has been Nigeria’s number one for 12 years now.
His bravery, confidence and experience will ensure the Eagles make World Cup history in Brazil as is defence will be asked numerous questions.
Enyeama has great reflexes and commands his defence very well. He showed his class in his very first game on the biggest stage during the 2002 World Cup, when he was outstanding against England.
In 2010, he single handedly stopped the great Lionel Messi from getting on the score board as Nigeria fell 1-0 to Argentina in South Africa.
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Date of Birth: 29th August, 1982
Height:1.82m
previous clubs: Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda(Israel), Hapoel Tel Aviv(Israel).
Present club: Lille(France)
CURLED FROM AFRICANFOOTBALL.COM
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