Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has named 17 débutants in his squad - fresh faces over experienced campaigners.
Keshi says they represent "the new force in our beautiful game".
Captain Joseph Yobo leads a cast of six players with Nations Cup experience which includes Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, John Mikel Obi, Ikechukwu Uche and Elderson Echiejile.
Nigeria have a point to prove in South Africa having missed the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Under coach Keshi, who took over in October 2011 following the sacking of Samson Siasia, they were unbeaten in 2012.
Regarded as continental giants, Nigeria have won the Nations Cup only twice, on home soil in 1980 and in 1994 in Tunisia.
The Super Eagles have finished as runners-up on four occasions (1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000) and they have emerged as second runners-up a record seven times.
They begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.
With fans desperate for a third title, the pressure on this inexperienced squad to deliver in South Africa is extremely high. The question is, are they good enough to lift the Nations Cup?
Leave your comments below.
It will be tough for them against Ivory Coast and others who all have matured players.
ReplyDeleteIn GOD we trust
ReplyDeleteNo way. We are not even close to getting to quarter final.
ReplyDeleteAverage Nigerian's will give it their darling team.but what matters is the preparation and again did we go with our best team.As the tournament proceeds the facts will revealed itself.Lets wait and see,for certainly a parcel made to be open needless getting it pinched...Chibuike Akanno Owewe
ReplyDelete