Africa's turbulent superpower

Passionate Nigeria rallies behind struggling Super Eagles

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- In a land prone to unrest and military coups, even politics don't ignite the passions of Nigerians quite like the country's explosive -- and unpredictable -- brand of soccer.

Young people in Africa's most populous nation of 120 million are known to welcome elections and rioting alike as opportunities to play soccer on otherwise traffic-clogged streets. Similarly, the country's myriad ethnic, religious and political squabbles temporarily fade away whenever the beloved national side plays.

Although the Super Eagles became the first African soccer team to win an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996, the team has subsequently underachieved despite an array of extraordinarily gifted speedsters and ball-handlers.

Bogged down by indiscipline among players, team mismanagement and petty squabbles over money, Nigeria enters the 2002 World Cup finals at a new low, after barely making the tournament -- edging out Liberia by a single point during the qualifying round.

After a disappointing performance in February at the African Cup of Nations in Mali, coach Shaibu Amodu was fired. His successor, Adeboye Onigbinde, vowed to rebuild the squad from the ground up.

That task has been made harder because Nigeria was drawn into the World Cup's "Group of Death" with Argentina, England and Sweden. Group F will play in Japan.

Now with the World Cup just weeks away and most other trainers busy fine-tuning strategy after choosing their core group of players, Onigbinde displays confidence -- "Coaching is like wine, the older the better," the 64-year-old says -- but is not tipping his hand as to who will be named to Nigeria's roster.

Team observers expect surprise picks from among the more than 200 Nigerian players based in Europe. Only six veterans from the African championships were invited to a scrappy 1-1 draw against Paraguay in London last month.

Longtime captain Sunday Oliseh and veteran Finidi George of English side Ipswich are among the prominent exiles left off the squad after they openly criticized Nigerian Sports Ministry officials.

"I would rather start with the unknown players to the known and at the end of the day we'd get the [desired] result," Onigbinde said.

Although supportive of the transformation after years of disappointment, Nigeria's vocal press corps seems uncomfortable with the last-minute approach.

"Nigeria's national team appears to be an all-comers affair now," the Lagos-based Vanguard daily recently commented.

Even with all the question marks, Nigeria has the potential to assemble a formidable attack. Several veterans expected to make the trip to Korea and Japan include dribbling sensation Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal's gifted striker Nwankwo Kanu.

Ukraine-based Julius Aghahowa, one of Nigeria's few shining lights in Mali with three goals, has become a mainstay at 21 years old. Bartholomew Ogbechie, 17, of Paris Saint-Germain and Benedict Akuegbu of Austria's Sturm Graz are other possibilities while Tijani Babaginda complements a potentially deadly assault.

The Okocha-led midfield on a good day can be very enterprising. Veteran Garba Lawal remains a strong utility player, and combining with youthful Yakubu Aigbeni, the unit could hold its own against other world class teams.

In the past, Nigeria's defense has been wobbly. Taribo West of Kaiserslautern in the German Bundesliga has led a defensive unit that leaks under persistent pressure. Inexperienced Emeka Efegiagwa, who plays for Wolfsburg could be chosen to complement him at center defense.

The right back could be claimed by hard-tackling Joseph Yobo of French side Marseille. Ifeanyi Udeze of PAOK Thessaloniki is a possible choice for the left-back. If Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro is selected instead, Nigerian fans will watch nervously for overlapping runs that in the past have proven to be disastrous.

Efetobore Sodje of English first division side Crewe Alexander was impressive in the Paraguayan encounter and may also get a place in the final 23.

Nigeria's goalkeeping problems are even more staggering. Ike Shorunmu, the most consistent of Nigeria's underperforming goalies, is expected to lead a group that also includes Willie Okpara of South African side Orlando Pirates and locally based Austin Ejide.

The chaos surrounding the Super Eagles has somewhat dampened expectations of Nigeria's players and passionate fans, whose exuberance in the stands is perhaps matched only by the Brazilians.

Onigbinde hopes only for a "respectable" performance, without saying exactly what that is. Kanu hopes to best Nigeria's second round exit in France in 1998.

"I think we can go far in the World Cup, farther than we did in France. I know we have so many new players and it will be difficult for us but we have to believe it," says Kanu.

Just as Nigeria somehow manages to survive wave after wave of civil unrest and military coups, fans across the nation are prepared to rally around their soccer heroes -- whoever they may be.

"Every Nigerian, from the president to the tout in the motor park has a great passion for the game. Over the years it has been a national unifying factor," observed Ibe Ojo, a Lagos-based sports journalist.

 

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