Nigeria Factfile

Qualifying results: Rwanda 2-0 (2-0 0-0), Liberia 8-3 (6-1 2-2) Scorers: Ikechukwu Uche (3), Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa (2 each), Efe Ambrose, Nosa Igiebor, John Obi Mikel Coach: Stephen Keshi Captain: Defender Joseph Yobo Key player: Victor Moses poses a big threat with surges from midfield Rankings: CAF 10, FIFA 52 Nickname: Super Eagles Previous appearances: 16 (1963: first round; 1976, 1978: third; 1980: champions; 1982: first round; 1984, 1988, 1990: runners-up; 1992: third; 1994: champions; 2000: runners-up; 2002, 2004, 2006: third; 2008: quarter-finals; 2010: third) Match record: P80 W42 D19 L19 F112 A78 Record win: South Africa 4-0 Record losses: Algeria 1-5, Sudan 0-4 backs the views of his boss.

“Winning the trophy is not going to be easy, but I promise we will give it our best shot. I urge Nigerians to keep praying for us and to believe in this team,” pleaded the former Everton defender, who is now based in Turkey.

“We are travelling to South Africa ready to wear the colours of our nation and we will not relent until our goal is reached.

“Luckily, we have a coaching team that understands us (the team) well and I am sure the players are ready to deliver.

“Let us not get beyond ourselves, though. The focus for now is on getting past the group stage and only then should we think about the quarter-finals and, hopefully, the semifinals and final.”

Yobo is the defensive general of the Eagles, and much is expected from Chelsea pair John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses in midfield, and Ikechukwu Uche from Spanish outfit Villarreal is the probable attacking spearhead. – Sapa-AFP