Who has been Nigeria’s best World Cup player? Although the campaign ultimately fizzled out in disappointment, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was a historic one for the Super Eagles. For the first time since 1998, Nigeria reached the knockout round and won their first World Cup match in 16 years. This group of players, forged together by Stephen Keshi, matched the achievements of their illustrious predecessors who claimed Olympic Gold in 1996. There have been a number of standout performers in the Super Eagles squad, who can now go on to form the backbone of World Cup and continental challenges in the years ahead. Vincent Enyeama The Lille goalkeeper might have made a mistake late in the game against France but he only added to his burgeoning reputation otherwise with outstanding displays against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina. When opposition attacks broke through, more often than not, Africa’s finest goalkeeper was there to thwart them. Kenneth Omeruo One of the best young defenders at this World Cup, Omeruo showed class and composure beyond his years in dealing with the threats of world-class attackers like Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero. The 20-year-old will be hoping to break into Jose Mourinho’s plans at Chelsea next season after spending the last two seasons on loan away from Stamford Bridge. Juwon Oshaniwa Left-back Elderson Echiejile was ruled out of the World Cup on the eve of the tournament throwing Stephen Keshi’s plans in disarray. But Oshaniwa, of Ashdod in Israel, stepped up and filled in brilliantly. The 23-year-old was sound in his defensive duties and provided good support to the attack. He formed part of a defence that didn’t concede until Lionel Messi breached them in the third group game. Ogenyi Onazi Onazi had his World Cup cruelly ended by a terrible Blaise Matuidi challenge in the second round defeat to France and with his substitution went Nigeria’s chances. Until then he had outshone his midfield partner John Obi Mikel with his clever usage of the ball, his tireless running and threatening shots from distance. The Lazio man grew into one of the Super Eagles’ most important players during the courser of the World Cup. Peter Odemwingie Nigeria were lacking guile and subtlety in their opening day draw against Iran but those problems disappeared once the Stoke City forward was re-introduced to the line-up against Bosnia-Herzegovina. It was Odemwingie who scored the vital goal which guaranteed Nigeria’s passage to the last 16 and he impressed with his footwork and approach play in the Argentina and France matches too. A happy return to international duty for the man once cast out by Keshi. Ahmed Musa Maligned as ineffective by certain sections of the Nigeria support, Musa delivered a thrilling rebuke to his critics with two well-taken goals against Argentina to put Lionel Messi’s side temporarily on the run. The CSKA Moscow man has tactical discipline and the ability to switch wings and his pace and trickery marked him out as the Super Eagles’s threat-in-chief at these finals.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:48:11 +0000
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