Nigeria aim to turn promise into results

Despite a record four FIFA Under-17 World Cup wins and the production of numerous star names, Nigeria have always failed to live up to their promise at the senior World Cup.

The Super Eagles haven’t won a World Cup match since 1998, after crashing out in the group stages in both 2002 and 2010. They made the last 16 in 1994 and 1998, losing to Italy and Denmark respectively.

One theory for their inability to build on their youth success at senior level is down to European clubs raiding talent young and curtailing their creativity by forcing them into physical and defensive roles.

John Obi Mikel is a prime example of this. At Chelsea he plays in defensive midfield, while with Nigeria he’ll be the linchpin of creativity. His ability to revert will be key to their performance in Brazil.

To his credit, coach Stephen Keshi has been willing to give young Nigerian-based talent a chance and, unlike previous campaigns where overseas-based experience has shone individually but not in unison, that could make all the difference.

In four previous World Cup appearances, Nigeria have lost three times to Argentina in the group stages, twice in opening matches and once in the second game. Nigeria’s only saving grace in drawing their bogey team in the group for a fourth time is that they now won’t meet until the third game — before that, the Super Eagles have two beatable opponents in Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keshi’s side could therefore finish second in the group and equal their best finish of reaching the last 16, with their most likely knockout opponents being potential Group E winners France.

Physical, fast and — on paper at least — exciting going forward, Nigeria promise goals but have failed to deliver in qualifying, while their defence is also disorganised and vulnerable at set pieces.