Finidi  George

Finidi won his first cap in 1991 against Burkina faso. He made his Nations cup debut in Senegal in 1992 and played for the 1994 team in Tunisia, as well as for the 2000 team. According to George burley, Finidi is a world class player who has shown throughout his career that he can compete. He has tremendous skill great pace and works very hard.

Joseph  Yobo

Everton signed Yobo in july 2002 and he has excelled as one of the stars of Nigeria’s World cup campaign – even if they didn’t make it past the group stage. Everton manager, David moyes has dubbed him the best player in the Nigerian squad he told the blues official website: As far as l m concerned, he’s Nigeria’s best player and l’m sure he’ll go on to captain his country. He played different positions for his country in the World cup which gave us a great opportunity to use him just where we see fit. He’s also got terrific pace and he’s a good all-round player

Isaac Okoronkwo

Little know before he left for Europe to play for Ukrainian side shaktar donetsk, okoronkwo came into prominence during the 2000 UEFA Champions,his performance later that year at the Sydney Olympics where nigeria’s dream team ll failed to get beyond the quarter finals led to his being touted as the man to fit into the big boots vacated by the gentle giant, uche okechukwu. Last years world cup was the perfeact opportunity for the big defender to prove his worth and he just that especially in the super eagles fineal game against England where his partnership with joseph yobo at the defence gave a glimmer of hope for the future. Okoronkwo is expected to wield a big influence in the back four in the years to come

KANU  NWANKWO

 NIGERIA'S NWANKWO KANU CONTROLS THE BALL AGAINST ARGENTINA IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2002

Pius Ikedia

Outstanding flank dribbler of the ball. He has an amazing knack for opening up defences from wide. When Nigeria’s drean team ll desperately needed the goal to take them to Sydney and eliminate Zimbabwe in the process. It was lkedia who unlocked the Zimbabwean defence with a chilling piece of dribbling skill

Efeotobore  Sodje

His motto is Against all odds and that is exactly how he found his way on to the Nigerian world cup squad sheet. The bandana-tying defender earned his full back position chiefly for his brawn, courage and ne’er-die attitude to the game. Exactly what coach Adegboye onigbinde was looking for but even more importantly,he could head the ball. His appearance at the world cup put him into crewe Alexandra’s record books for the 2001/2002 season.

Taribo West

This strong defender remains one of the most colourful characters in the Nigerian squad, his creative hairstyles have also added to his pubil persona. He was a member of the country’s Olympic team at the Atlanta game in the summer of 1996 and remains the glue of the super Eagles defense. A while ago many Nigerians were not sure that they would see the colourful pastor in the super eagles jersey anymore as part of the shake down, but thank goodness those fears did not materialize.

John  Utaka

Utaka’s rise to prominence could have gone either way. Contracted by Egypt’s lsmailia before he even had time to kick a ball in Nigeria. Utaka went on to lead the team to the final of the African Cup winners cup. He really should have been considered for the 2002 African Nations cup, even if it was for a place on the bench, but coach amodu shuaibu did not offer him the opportunity. He probably would not have made the world cup squad either were it not for the new coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, but Utakt’s speed, skill and technique are the delight of coaches and he has proven his worth beyond doubt with his assured showings for French club RC Lens in the 2002/03 season’s UEFA Champion League.

Sunday  Oliseh

The Nigerian was brought to Ajax by morten Oisen, who knew him from his spell at cologne. As one of Africa’s finest footballing products, oliseh is able to play either a destroyer role in midfield or a perfect passing game. He scored Nigeria’s winning goal in their opening 3-2 first round defeat of Spain at france ’98. Oliseh’s outstanding volleyed goal against spain was his second since making his Nigerian debut in 1993. He was a member of the Nigerian Olympic gold medal winning team of 1996 and numbered amongst the top 3 players nominated as African player of the year in 1998.