Nigeria

Nigeria has always been connected with great individualities, but never with a team that can play at top level. With the generation of Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West long gone, Nigeria is a very different team than before.

Good rehearsal

Stephen Keshi is doing a great job with his national team. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but by Keshi’s guidance they managed to win it next year and play at the Confederations Cup back in 2013.

Then, they’ve met such teams like Uruguay and Spain. They also had to play Tahiti, but that game was generally a walk in the park. Against stronger opponents Nigeria showed some potential – they were not scared of better players and put in a decent game. They’ve lost both games but well, with the individual quality of both teams it was not surprising. But Keshi’s team was applauded for their performance – it was a good rehearsal before the World Cup.

Big stars – goalkeeper and a holder

The most successful national coaches always started with recognising strong and weak points of their players. Keshi soon found out that his players have pace, strength and are good on the ball but generally lack creativity, experience, many of them also certain quality. He decided to build a team around an identity and try to instill some values. He had to say goodbye to those who resisted his ideas, but everyone else worked perfectly well.

Some would say that the biggest star in this team is its captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who had a great season at Lille, remaining unbeaten for several games. He’s not afraid of the ball and usually surprises strikers by spreading his limbs to protect the goal.

Nigeria gives you wings

Of course, Nigeria has also important players in other parts of the field. John Obi Mikel is mostly known for his role at Chelsea – he’s a Makelele-type defensive midfielder, winning the ball back and passing it towards the nearest teammate. But in his national team, he’s more aggressive with his distritbution. For a long time he disappointed Nigeria’s  fans but now he discovered his form for the national team

Nigeria plays a 4-4-1-1 formation with emphasis laid on their wing play. On the right they have Victor Moses, who was loaned to Liverpool from Chelsea this season and generally had an average year. On the left there’s Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow. He’s extremely talented and his acceleration leaves many defenders behind. His final tough might be a bit heavy but it’s mainly down to his inexperience still – he’s just 21.

Speaking of youth, Nigeria also has a very young centre back duo – Kenneth Omeruo of Middlesbrough, who’s 20 and Godfrey Oboabona of Rizespor, who’s 23. They both feature in the squad for two years and might be the partnership for years to come.

Playing style

Nigeria plays an attacking, exciting football, trying to dominate the opponent. Stephen Keshi wants his players to play offensively, because the fans wants to see good football.

Coach

Stephen Keshi is a former Nigerian international. After finishing his career, he joined staff of the national team. His first job was with the Togolese national team. He worked there three times before taking charge of Nigeria. He also coached Mali.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

15th June, Curitiba: vs. Iran (1-0)

21st June, Cuiaba: vs. Bosnia – Herzegovina (0-1)

25th June, Porto Alegre: vs. Argentina (1-2)

Three points is obviously not enough – Nigeria will have to go home after the group stage. They have 47% chance of advancing to the knockout stages. Match against Bosnia is a crucial game here.