This is very likely to be the last opportunity for some of the best Nigerian players to achieve something memorable at the World Cup. The team is aging and the transition is being made from veterans to young and promising players, with the latter being increasingly present in be games. Coach Keshi found himself between a rock and a hard place, as he tries to prepare a competitive team for the most important football event in the world, while trying to solve his own contract problems.
The Nigerian football Federation is yet to pay his salary for several months and there are no signs that the argument would reach this conclusion anytime soon. It will be interesting to see how the team performs at the World Cup 2014 if the tensions between the coach and the Federation linger. Meanwhile, football fans can be happy with how their team performed and fairly optimistic about their chance in Brazil.
Group stage and event prospects
Sharing the group with Argentina is worrisome to say the least and the fact that they will also have to outshine Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn't help either. Both opponents are extremely offensive and with Nigeria struggling in its own half, things can easily turn sour. Bet365 is not overly optimistic about their chances to survive the group stage, but as far as punters are concerned, odds of 2.30 for this outcome are attractive. Winning the group is unlikely and the same goes for Nigeria to win the World Cup at 251 to 1.
It is not going to be easy for the African nation to accumulate points in this group and even defeating Iran can prove to be more difficult than it seems. They have the players capable of outshining both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran and the midfield is their strongest asset. Stamina and perseverance are also qualities that Nigerian football players have in abundance, but they lack discipline and it is anyone's guess how the eclectic mix of veterans and newcomers will work.
Key players for Nigeria at the World Cup
Even though Nigerian footballers didn't get the chance to play together a lot, they met plenty of times in major European competitions or domestic leagues. Obi Mikel is not only one of the most experienced players in their starting formation but also one of the most talented ones. He is a critical player for Chelsea and he was on the pitch whenever the Blues took on stronger opponents in vital games.
Mikel is an offensive midfielder that doesn't hesitate to join the strikers when opportunity arises and is altruistic enough to provide the latter with passes. He will also have to play the role of a coach in the field and keep the team together when opponents take an early lead, as Nigeria has a hard time rebounding after allowing an early goal. This is not unlikely to happen, since the backline is made mostly of aging defenders and the youngsters are going to be vulnerable to the likes of Messi, Higuain, Aguerro or Dzeko.
Vincent Enyeama is both the goalkeeper and captain, bringing loads of experience to a team that prepares for a difficult group stage. Emenike and Martins will pair upfront and the latter is the one credited with the first chance to become the top scorer in Brazil, as Bet365 gives him odds of 251 to 1.
The bottom line
Nigeria has the players to survive Group F, but only if they all play their a-game and more important, play as a team. Coach Keshi's mission is simple, as he needs to win both games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran, to join Argentina in the elimination round.
