Fifa was warned of Nigeria World Cup match-fixing fears

Fifa was warned before this year's World Cup of fears that Nigeria's team could be vulnerable to match-fixing.
An investigator for Uefa raised concerns, including suspicions over betting patterns.
Nigeria went out of the tournament in the first round, losing to Greece.
World governing body Fifa does not deny receiving a warning but say it has "no indication" of match-fixing in any World Cup matches.




Investigator working with Uefa first became suspicious during qualifying rounds of the World Cup.
It is alleged that certain Nigerian players came forward and said their team was vulnerable to manipulation.
On the morning of Nigeria's first match, he alerted Fifa's new Early Warning System, set up to look for signs of match-rigging, of his concerns.
After Newsnight was aired Fifa responded, saying no information provided by any informant relating to potential match-fixing at the tournament has had any substance.
A statement said: "Fifa and the Early Warning System (EWS) have a network of informants from which we receive information.
"Of course, as you may understand, we will not disclose the identity of the informants. What we can say is that at least until today no information provided by the informants to Fifa in relation to any potential match-fixing activities during the 2010 Fifa World Cup have proved to have any substance.
"Furthermore, we can also say that there is no indication whatsoever until today of any match-fixing situations during any of the matches of the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
German journalist Christian Bergmann also had a call just before the first Nigerian game of the tournament from a Uefa contact who said there were suggestions that "some players from the Nigerian team are actually involved in some form of manipulation".
In their second game of the tournament, Nigeria were strong favourites to beat Greece and took an early 1-0 lead.
But after just 33 minutes Nigeria had a man sent off and Greece subsequently scored their first ever World Cup goals to win 2-1.
After their elimination, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan was so angry with the poor performances that he suspended the whole team from international competition. He later reversed that decision following a complaint from Fifa.
The Uefa Disciplinary Unit is already working with German Police on the biggest investigation into the rigging of games.
Hundreds of matches across Europe - from Champions League qualifiers to domestic cup and league games - are being scrutinised and match fixers are being held in jail.
There are no English Premier League games on the list of suspect matches, but the BBC has learnt that German police believe many of the bets on fixed games were placed through a London office.
The chief suspect is a Croatian professional gambler and bar owner called Ante Sapina who is currently being held in Germany awaiting trial.
In the past he posed at his bar with footballing greats such as Lionel Messi of Argentina to give himself credibility, but Messi and others were unaware of his secret life as a match-fixer.
It is alleged that he made a fortune by placing bets on matches and then bribing players to get the required result.
This is not the first time Ante Sapina has been accused of fixing matches.
In 2006 he was sentenced to nearly three years in jail for bribing German referee Robert Hoyzer to fix games.
The German police claim that soon after his release Sapina began fixing matches again on an industrial scale.
They say that Sapina bet millions of euros on fixed games and that many of those bets were placed by a company called Samvo, based just off the Hangar Lane Gyratory System in West London.
Samvo promotes itself as a betting broker which places billions of pounds worth of bets each year on behalf of "high-rollers" and "professional betting syndicates".

German police papers name a senior Samvo employee called Eric Ho as the man who placed bets on allegedly fixed games and then passed on the winnings, which were in the region of 100,000 euros a game, to Ante Sapina and others.
Mr Ho has not responded to repeated BBC requests to clarify what he knew.
The BBC has learned that Samvo was raided by City of London police and a German detective at the same time as Sapina was arrested in November 2009.
The officers who were armed with a search warrant discovered that over a million pounds of Sapina's winnings were in an Isle of Man bank account and according to the German detective's report,Samvo agreed not to hand over those winnings to Sapina.

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Nigeria president suspends team

Nigeria's president has suspended his nation's football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will "enable Nigeria to reorganise its football".




The Nigerian Football Federation is to be dissolved and an interim board appointed, the BBC understands.
Nigeria were knocked out in the group stages without winning a game.
Niboro said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order.
"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup."
The president also plans an audit of the country's World Cup organising committee.
"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro added.
The NFF released a statement apologising to "all football-loving Nigerians" for the country's early exit from South Africa.
"No previous board has qualified Nigeria for all major tournaments internationally," the statement read, adding that officials wanted Swedish coach Lars Lagerbeck to remain at the helm.
Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football's world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.
"We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward," Amaechi told reporters.
Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.
"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," a Fifa statement read.
"However, in general, Fifa's position regarding political interference in football is well known. Our statutes do not allow for any political interference."
Nigeria's risks their national and club teams, plus referees, being banned from all international competitions - and their officials would not be allowed to attend meetings or events.
Nigeria were set to begin their bid to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in September against Madagascar.

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Nigeria 2 South Korea 2: match report

Another day, and another African disappointment at this World Cup.
Taking just one point from Group B means Nigeria - like Ivory Coast and hosts South Africa - will watch the rest of the action on television, a setback for the tournament's flavour, if not for its quality.
Indeed, while this match produced enough tension to keep a crowd of 60,000 gripped, it also bore witness to the miss of the tournament.

Ayegbeni Yakubu, the Everton striker, inexplicably stroked the most straightforward of opportunities wide of the post with the South Korea goalkeeper completely out of the picture.
It was the type of miss which made Scotland's Chris Iwelumo a laughing stock when he miscued in similar style against Norwa. Yakubu's however, was even worse.
Did they show impressive resolve, however, after falling behind when Kala Uche scored his second goal of the tournament.
Uche, the impressive Almeria forward, met Chidi Odiah's centre with a cute right-foot finish which beat Jung Sung-ryong at his near post.
Uche, who scored Nigeria's opener in their defeat against Greece, struck the foot of the post with a stinging drive shortly after the half-hour, but it was the Koreans who were in the ascendancy by the break.
Defender Lee Jung-soo volleyed home Ki Sung-yong's floated free-kick for his second goal of the tournament, but the goal won't be headed for the highlights DVD.
Lee stooped to head the dipping ball at the far post, but stuck out a boot at the last minute after he deciding he couldn't duck his head any lower.
Park Chu-young gave the Koreans the lead four minutes after the break when he curled a free kick around the wall. Yakubu then missed the chance which will forever haunt him, but made partial amends three minutes later when slotting home a penalty after Kim Nam-il had fouled Chinedu Obasi.

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Greece 2:1 Nigeria: match report

A blunder by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama handed Greece their first victory at the fifth attempt in two World Cup finals.

It also maintains their slim hopes of an appearance in the next stage although their final Group B game is against Argentina.

Enyeama, whose side were down to 10 men following Sani Kaita's red card, failed to deal with a soft shot from Alexandros Tziolis in the 72nd minute.

The rebound fell to Vasileios Torosidis, who toe-poked the ball home to give Greece victory.

Nigeria now face an early exit. Yet the game had started so well for them. They took the lead after 16 minutes following a defensive howler by their opponents.



Greece failed to cut out an inswinging free-kick from Kalu Uche and goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas was left rooted to the spot as the ball nestled in the net behind him.

While Uche celebrated, Tzorvas was left shaking his head in disbelief.

It was an early setback for Greece following their opening-day defeat by South Korea.

They responded 13 minutes later when skipper Georgios Karagounis tried to chip Enyeama from distance but the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save.

Then Karagounis floated in a corner only for Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos to send his header high over the bar.

The match took a dramatic twist in the 34th minute when Nigeria were reduced to 10 men.

Kaita was handed a straight red card by referee Oscar Ruiz following a tussle with Torosidis. Kaita showed his studs to the defender and was immediately banished to the dressing room.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel reacted by bringing on striker Georgios Samaras instead of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos two minutes later.

And they almost drew level in the 39th minute only for Enyeama to superbly block a shot from Salpingidis.

Greece stepped up the pace and Samaras then saw his effort cleared off the line by Lukman Haruna.

Nigeria were finally breached a minute before the break when Salpingidis scored the equaliser, his effort deflecting off a defender after Konstantinos Katsouranis had played the ball into his path.

It was a historic moment for Greece - their first goal in the finals.

Nigeria made a confident start to the second half and Uche saw his clever cross palmed on to the roof of the net by Enyeama in the 48th minute.

Greece hit back and Kyrgiakos sent a header at the back post into the arms of Enyeama seven minutes later following a corner from Karagounis.

They kept pushing forward and Thefonais Gekas saw his close-range effort parried by the goalkeeper in the 59th minute.

Nigeria launched a swift counter attack and Aiyegbeni Yakubu's shot was blocked by Tzorvas.

The ball broke to substitute Chinedu Obasi but he somehow managed to find the wrong side of the post when it seemed easier to score.

Nigeria were again grateful to Enyeama in the 68th minute when he clawed away a powerful header from Samaras.

Then came the mistake by the goalkeeper although he did well to beat away Tziolis's effort in stoppage time to prevent Greece extending their lead.

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Greece v Nigeria: match preview

Group B

Greece v Nigeria
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: Thur June 17, 3pm BST

Both teams lost their opening Group B games with poor performances, so both need a massive improvement to stand any chance of challenging Argentina and South Korea for the two qualifying places.

Otto Rehhagel caused a surprise by leaving out imposing Liverpool central defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the 2-0 defeat by South Korea, and he could be recalled.

Lars Lagerback may consider replacing Chinedu Obasi with Peter Odemwingie.

Touchline duel

Otto Rehhagel v Lars Lagerback: Two hugely experienced coaches will treat this one like a chess match. A German faces a Swede but it is the latter who boasts the World Cup experience and that could work in his favour. However, Rehhagel has the experience of more than 1,000 Bundesliga games, so this offers a fascinating clash.

And both have to win; the losers go home.


Talking tactics

Lagerback will probably ask Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu to drop back to a holding role and that could help negate a three-man attack which was so disappointing last time out.

What they say

Otto Rehhagel: "We still have an opportunity and can recover after losing the first game. First of all we have to keep our mistakes to a minimum. We have to play to our full potential and give everything.

Lars Lagerback: "I know that my Super Eagles players will handle this situation very well so from my point of view I am very positive going into the next game. It doesn't matter if Greece had lost or won."

Key clash

Sotorios Kyrgiakos v Aiyegbeni Yakubu: A Merseyside clash like no other. Liverpool meets Everton with Kyrgiakos likely to be the man charged with keeping Yakubu quiet.

But when their club teams last met Kyrgiakos had been sent-off by the time Yakubu came on, at Anfield in February. Liverpool won that game 1-0.

Previous meetings

Played 2 Greece 1, Draws 0, Nigeria 1

1994 (Boston, WC): Greece 0 Nigeria 1
1999 (Kirkis, friendly): Greece 2 Nigeria 0

Fact: Nigeria are seeking their first win in the finals since they beat Bulgaria in 1998.

Prediction: Nigeria only lost 1-0 to Argentina and with the Greeks so poor against South Korea expect another African success.

Teams

Greece (4-3-3): Tzorvas; Vyntra, Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis; Patsatzoglu, Karagounis, Katsouranis; Samaras, Salpingidis, Gekas
Nigeria (4-4-2): Enyeama; Odiah, Shittu, Yobo, Taiwo; Kaita, Etuhu, Lukman, Odemwingie; Yakubu, Obinna
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).

Previous meetings

Played 2: Greece 1, Draws 0, Nigeria 1

1994: (Boston, WC): Greece 0 Nigeria 1
1999: (Kirkis, friendly): Greece 2 Nigeria 0

Fact: Nigeria are seeking their first win in the finals since they beat Bulgaria in 1998.

Prediction: Nigeria only lost 1-0 to Argentina and with the Greeks so poor against South Korea expect another African success.

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Argentina 1-0 Nigeria. Heinze hands Argentina winning start

Gabriel Heinze's early header earned Argentina a 1-0 victory over Nigeria at Ellis Park and they might have won by more but for Super Eagles keeper Vincent Enyeama.

Argentina joined Saturday's earlier winners Korea Republic on three points in Group B with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria at Johannesburg's packed Ellis Park. Gabriel Heinze scored the game's only goal with a diving header from a corner in just the sixth minute, although the two-time FIFA World Cup™ winners could have added more if not for the heroics of Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and their own wasteful finishing.







As early as the fourth minute, FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi burst through the Super Eagles' defence and set up Gonzalo Higuain in front of goal, but the Real Madrid man blazed wide of the target. Two minutes later Messi tested Enyeama from 20 yards out, but the Israel-based goalkeeper saved well with a dive to his right. However, from the resulting corner, Heinze ran forward and found himself all alone directly on the penalty spot, and he made no mistake with the chance. The early goal sent coach Diego Maradona into raptures on the sideline, and surely he must have thought there was more to come.

Messi was a constant thorn in the side of the Nigeria defence, and in the 18th minute he cut inside and curled a left-footed shot towards goal from 25 yards out. But Enyeama was up to the task with a fine save at his post. Three minutes later, the Albiceleste threatened again but Higuain blasted his point-blank shot right into the goalkeeper. Enyeama was the Nigerian hero another time shortly after, denying Messi with his fingertips when it seemed like his curling shot would sneak in.

The introduction of Obafemi Martins early in the second period sparked Nigeria into life. The Wolfsburg forward showed his pace on the hour to latch onto a through-ball and play in Sani Kaita but he blasted over from 25 yards out. As the match opened up, Argentina found more room in the attacking third. In the 65th minute, they counter-attacked quickly to find themselves four-on-two and bearing down on the Nigeria defence. Carlos Tevez slid the ball dangerously into the middle, Angel Di Maria let the ball carry on to Messi, but the Barcelona superstar hit his shot agonisingly wide. Messi then set up Higuain for another opening, but Enyeama was again the victor in that head-to-head duel.

In the 71st minute, Nigeria left-back Taye Taiwo blasted a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the area, injuring himself in the process. His replacement, Kalu Uche, had the best chance of the night for the Super Eagles in the 83rd minute, but he failed to keep down an effort from 12 yards out despite being left unmarked. Nigeria next face Greece on 17 June in Manguang/Bloemfontein, while Argentina and Korea Republic will battle it out for the top of the group at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on the same day.

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Argentina-Nigeria preview

Diego Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup tomorrow, hoping his Argentina side can overcome Nigeria in a repeat of the fixture that marked his exit from the tournament in 1994.

After 16 years, Diego Armando Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Argentinian bowed out of world football’s showpiece in 1994 after Argentina's match against Nigeria, a team he now faces as head coach tomorrow in the opening match in Group B.

The Africans, meanwhile, will be looking to avenge the defeat in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament 2008 in China, where La Albiceleste triumphed with a number of players who will be present in Johannesburg. They will be hopeful Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, one of the masterminds behind Argentina’s elimination from 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, will help them settle an old score.

The Match
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg, Saturday 12 June, 16:00 (local time)

Having come through a difficult qualifying campaign, the Argentinians are ready to start afresh in South Africa and, for the third time in a row, an African side will provide their first test - in 2002, they edged out Nigeria in a 1-0 win, while in 2006 they were 2-1 victors against Côte d'Ivoire. Maradona has at his disposal two of the top goalscorers in Europe this season as they look to secure their third consecutive victory over an African side: Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, who amassed an astonishing 61 goals between them. Starting hopeful Carlos Tevez, for his part, notched up another 22 for Manchester City.

The Super Eagles also struggled during the qualifying phase, although they will be hopeful head coach Lagerback can help them rediscover their rhythm. They will go into this game anxious to reverse the trend of their previous two FIFA World Cup encounters with the Argentinians, in 1994 and 2002, which saw La Albiceleste run out winners on both occasions. They will look to exploit their 'home' advantage, and also build on their recent 3-1 friendly victory over Korea DPR.

Key duel
Gonzalo Higuain vs Vincent Enyeama

The Argentinian scored 27 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga last season, and has reproduced the same clinical form for his country: he has found the net twice in four games and seems ready to add to that tally. "My dream is to be among the top scorers at the World Cup", Higuain said on his arrival in South Africa. To fulfil that dream he must first find a way past Vincent Enyeama, one of the few Nigerians to have kept his place in the Super Eagles' rearguard despite constant changes to their defensive formation. Enyeama, whose reflexes have earned him the nickname 'The Cat', already boasts FIFA World Cup experience, including a clean sheet against England in Korea/Japan 2002.

The stat
10 – The number of players that took part in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 who will come face to face again in Johannesburg: Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Dele Adeleye, Sani Kaita, Peter Odemwingie, Chinedu Ogbuke and Victor Obinna.

What they said
"Nigeria is a physically strong side capable of creating problems in attack. However, I think they are still a little disorganised in defence. That’s where we have to make the most of our potential," Diego Armando Maradona, Argentina coach.

"Messi is a good player and we respect him. We hope he respects us too. We’re not thinking about Messi, we’re thinking about playing Argentina, a good team," Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigeria forward.

Voice of the fans
"Great game in prospect. I reckon Argentina will win because their attacking style will push Nigeria back. That’s where the game will be won by Argentina, who I am supporting along with all the other South American teams." FIFA.com user AlanLeo-URU

The question
Are Nigeria strong enough to upset Argentina in their opening match?

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Group B Betting Preview

Group B Outright Odds
Argentina 8.50
Nigeria 251.0
South Korea 151.0
Greece 251.0

This group is all about the race for second spot as we all expect Argentina and Diego Maradona to go through as winners. Granted, much has been written about El Diego's tenure in charge but he has enough talent at his disposal and the guaranteed respect of his players to ensure they top the group to set up a clash with the runners-up of Group A.

Argentina certainly may have made heavy weather of qualifying but there is no doubting the quality in the squad. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain ran riot in La Liga last season and there is always Diego Milito to consider. Scoring goals won't be a problem for the Albiceleste. Keeping their suspect temperament in check and playing well for more than three games may be, though. Back them at 1.44 to win the group.

Greece ruined the summer of 2004 for many bookies when they charged to the European Championships at 151.0. Wily old Otto Rehhagel qualified Greece for their second World Cup in the play-offs and his side will be as resolute and dogged as always, which won't be pretty on the eye. If you want entertainment go to the cinema.

Nigeria have been beset with their regular mishaps in preparations, struggling to organise friendlies and hiring a new manager in February despite finishing third in the Africa Cup of Nations. Lars Lagerback has a major job on his hands and the absence of John Obi Mikel is another blow. The Nigerian FA have hopes of reaching the semi-finals but it's more likely they'll be home before the postcards arrive in Lagos.


South Korea lost their most recent friendly against favourites Spain 1-0 and gave La Roja a few scares. It took a screamer from Jesus Navas for Korea to be broken down and they've kept clean sheets in four of the last six. The team have been preparing using altitude tents and their destiny will likely be determined by their opener with Greece.

Betting Potential
Scoping around for value is all about who you fancy to finish second behind Argentina. All three sides are capable of beating each other and the bookies have their concerns about Greece, who have never scored in the World Cup, with Nigeria the favourites to progress and South Korea as outsiders. A dual forecast of Argentina/Nigeria progressing is valued at 2.20, Argentina/Greece 2.90 and Argentina/South Korea 5.17.

This is a tough group to call as the three lesser teams can all beat each other on their day. Argentina as group winners on the other hand at 1.44 should be safe money.

To Qualify
Argentina 1.10
Greece 2.35
Nigeria 1.95
South Korea 3.43

Not to qualify
Argentina 6.0
Greece 1.57
Nigeria 1.80
South Korea 1.25

Best Bet
Greece against South Korea is unlikely to be an epic. The Greeks played out a 2-2 draw with North Korea in May but this match with their rivals from the south will surely be a tighter affair. Don't expect many goals so I'm backing a half-time draw at 1.83, under 2 goals at 1.88 and Greece to win by one at 4.0.

Outside Bet
Argentina to notch up seven points at 3.25. The bookies have their doubts over Messi and co. taking maximum points with a 100% record in the group priced at 3.50. Expect them to slip up somewhere, perhaps in the last game against Greece if the European outfit need a result, which is likely.

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Team Profile - Nigeria

Confederation:CAF

Star Players:Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Mikel John Obi

Best World Cup Finish:Second Round (1994, 1998)

Current FIFA Ranking:20

Strengths:Solid spine in midfield and attack

Weaknesses:Defensive issues, underachievement

Fans:Loyal and expectant






Coach: Lars Lagerback
Confederation: CAF
FIFA Ranking (Apr 10): 20
Previous Appearances: 3 (1994, 1998, 2002)

Background
South Africa 2010 will be Nigeria's fourth World Cup appearance. They made their debut in 1994 in the United States of America, where they reached the second round by playing an attractive attacking style of football. They were only seconds away from the '94 quarter-final before Italy clawed back to beat the Super Eagles 2-1. Four years later, they also got to the second round only to be thrashed 4-1 by a very organised Danish team. Nigeria disappointed at the 2002 finals in Korea and Japan as they crashed out in the group stage.

How They Qualified

The Eagles snatched the ticket to South Africa 2010 dramatically on the final day of the qualifiers after they defeated Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi while Mozambique pipped closest rivals Tunisia 1-0 in Maputo. Before then, the Tunisians led the standings after a 2-1 win away in the Kenyan capital back in March. Nigeria would then force the North Africans to a goalless draw in Tunis before the Carthage Eagles also achieved a 2-2 draw in Abuja. It was then left to the final day of action for Nigeria to shoot to the top of the table and qualify for the World Cup. Fans across the nation could hardly believe their luck, even if they left it late, and many still hold reservations about the state of the national side.

Strengths

Attacking play has been the trademark of Nigerian football. The team are blessed with several top-rate strikers such as Yakubu (Everton), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow), Victor Obinna (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim) and Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza).

Weaknesses

The defence, and more specifically the heart of the back line, has proved to be the Achilles' heel of this team. The coaches are yet to find a fine combination in the middle of the back four. Everton's Joseph Yobo has played alongside Danny Shittu, Dele Adeleye and Obinna Nwaneri, but there is still no ideal pairing in sight yet. They have also struggled to play as a team and so have often relied heavily on individual brilliance to get by.

The Coach

It was no surprise when Shuaibu Amodu left his post earlier this year - the third time he had taken the national team reins. The appointment of Lars Lagerback was not so expected however.

The Swede resigned after failing to take his own national team to South Africa, his first qualification failure at both continental and global level since taking the job in 2000. A steady rather than spectacular pair of hands, the affable European may just be what a fractious Nigerian team needs as it prepares for a first World Cup on African soil.

Star Men

Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow)


Has been most impressive in the later stages of the qualifiers. He is fast, committed to the cause and gets his fair share of goals.'Osas' has established himself in the starting XI after staying on the fringes since missing the cut for the 2002 World Cup.

Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg)

With 15 international goals to his name, he is one of the most lethal Nigerian strikers on offer. He proved himself in the final qualifier against Kenya when he grabbed two goals. This will be his first World Cup finals and once he is fully fit, expect a couple of goals from the former Newcastle United ace.
Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza)

'IK' netted four goals for the Eagles in the qualifying tournament before he suffered a long-term knee injury at his Spanish club. He is full of running and provides another option to Nigeria's attacking style.
Best Footballing Moment
Nigeria became the first African team to win Olympic Gold in Atlanta in 1996. This feat was achieved by the 'Golden Generation', which included Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, Uche Okechukwu, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke.

Off The Pitch

Famous For: Like the country, the team are a very religious group, who sing worship songs and pray before a match for God to give them victory. This is even more interesting as the team is made up of both Christian and Muslim players.

Most Likely To: Have the team with the biggest players in the tournament, pound for pound.

World Cup Objective

Anything short of getting past the first round will be rated as a failure.

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