After their dismal outing at the Mali 2002 Nations Cup, many senior players in the Super Eagles were axed as the team prepared for the Japan/Korea World Cup in the summer.
Adegboye Onigbinde was behind the massive overhaul of the team as new inexperienced players were introduced into the squad to complement the old boys.
Unfortunately, Nigeria posted her worst performance at the tournament after failing to qualify beyond the first round and scoring just a goal in the competition.
The dream of an indigenous coach leading the national team to World Cup was disastrous as eyebrows were raised on team selection from pundits and the fans at large.
NAIJ.com takes a look at the players who flew Nigeria’s flag at the most prestigious soccer event in the world, discussing their past and present.
1. Ike Shorunmu
Having missed out at the last World Cup in France, the 34-year-old reclaimed his spot as number one but it did not go well with the Super Eagles.
The Lucerne number one conceded a goal against Argentina from a Gabriel Batistuta’s header in the first match and two more from Swedish international Henrik Larson.
Mathematically, Nigeria had already crashed out of the competition before the last match against England as Ike was rested in place of Vincent Enyeama.
The former Besiktas shot-stopper has served as a goalkeeping coach in the national team also with Enyimba and Heartland in the same capacity.
Ike Shorunmu
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2. Joseph Yobo
At 21-years-old, Joseph Yobo was a fast rising and promising defender who many predicted would be future captain of the national side made his debut at the World Cup.
The Olympique Marseille player featured as a right back and provided the only assist that gave Nigeria’s only goal scored at the World Cup.
After retirement, the Besiktas defender was conferred with a chieftancy title in Rivers State and now runs his own charity organization called the Joseph Yobo Foundation which has given over 300 students scholarships ranging from primary to university level.
Joseph Yobo
3. Celestine Babayaro
Making his second appearance at the World Cup at 23, Babayaro had established himself as the best left-back in the continent following a rising profile with his English club, Chelsea.
Having played just two matches at World Cup, the Ex-Newcastle and LA Galaxy player had controversies in his career in England and the United States before retiring but he is now into sports commentary.
Celestine Babayaro
4. Nwankwo Kanu
The lanky forward who struggled to play first team football at the previous tournament in France played 48 minutes in the 0-1 defeat to Argentina and came in as a second half substitute against Sweden.
The former Iwuayanwu Nationale now known as Heartland striker runs a heart foundation called Kanu Heart Foundation which provides treatment for kids with heart related diseases.
Kanu Nwankwo
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5. Isaac Okoronkwo
The central defensive pairing of Taribo West and Isaac Okoronkwo did not go down well as the duo could not complement each other leaving the backline porous to attackers.
The last that was heard of the former Julius Berger man was when he played for Russian side Rostov, from 2010 to 2013 before calling it quits with the game.
Isaac Okoronkwo
6. Taribo West
As the Super Eagles team confirmed their exit after the loss to the Swedish national team, Taribo West was in tears after the final whistle was blown.
It would be the last competition the former Inter Milan player featured for Nigeria and after several stints in Europe, West now pastors a ministry called The Storm Miracle Ministry of All Nations.
Taribo West
7. Pius Ikedia
The petite and exciting winger was a player many expected would be an instant hit at the staged competition in Asia after an enterprising display at the Sydney 2000 Olympics but to no avail.
The 21-year-old was used as a substitute in all three matches played in the group but failed to make a meaningful impact.
The former youth international played 12 games and scored a goal in his seven year spell with the Super Eagles that ended in 2007.
Pius Ikedia
8. Mutiu Adepoju
The head master was one of the senior players who escaped being axed from the Super Eagles team owing to a gang up by his teammates at the 2002 Nations Cup.
The former Real Sociedad midfielder is one of the ambassadors of the Spanish La Liga to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Mutiu Adepoju
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9. Bartholomew Ogbeche
Many believed that the spectacular bicycle kick against Paraguay in a pre-World Cup friendly was what earned the 17-year-old striker a place in coach Onigbinde’s squad as he played two games at the tournament.
The former Alaves striker is still active in his playing career in the Dutch Eredivisie with Willem II but last featured for the national team in 2004.
Bartholomew Ogbeche
10. Austin Okocha
The expulsion of Sunday Oliseh made way for Nigeria’s most charismatic player wearing the captain’s arms-band as the mecurial midfielder led the team.
The Paris Saint Germain playmaker created the only meaningful chance against the star-studded Marcelo Bielsa’s side as goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero tipped over his effort from outside the box.
Okocha is now the Delta state sports commissioner and he is also an ambassador for notable brands in the country.
Austin Okocha
11. Garba Lawal
The Super Eagles poor showing against the Argentines was heavily criticized back home as Garba Lawal was among the players at the receiving end.
The Roda JC winger was condemned to the bench for the rest of the competition as the team came back home with the tails between their legs.
Chindo moved up to the administrative level as he was formerly the general manager of Nigerian club side Kaduna United in 2014.
Garba Lawal
12. Austin Ejide
Ejide was one of the few local lads drafted into the World Cup team and was almost sure of not making an appearance owing to the perking order in the goalkeeping department.
The 33-year-old is still in active football but pitching his tent with Israeli club Hapoel Hadera and has not been in goal for them this season.
Austin Ejide
13. Rabiu Afolabi
Just like other players who never kicked the ball at the World Cup, the Standard Liege defender was on the sidelines in all three matches.
The former U-20 international played just 20 matches with one goal until his last call up in 2010.
Rabiu Afolabi
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14. Ifeayi Udeze
The second preferred left back to Celestine Babayaro was in action against Sweden and England but the Paok Salonika player missed the first tie against Argentina.
The former West Bromwich Albion defender drew the curtains to his career after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Ifeanyi Udeze
15. Justice Christopher
Justice Christopher was another new entrant into the World Cup squad invited to fit into Sunday Oliseh’s role as the six-foot-plus Royal Antwerp defensive midfielder had convincing displays in pre-tournament friendlies.
The former Bendel Insurance player was involved in the matches against Sweden and England but his contributions could not help the team progress beyond the first round.
Justice Christopher played only 11 matches wearing the national colors but had unstable spells at club level. He last played for Nigeria in 2002 before fading off the scene.
Justice Christopher
16. Efe Sodje
The flambouyant central defender kick started his career for Nigeria at the 2000 Nations Cup and made an appearance with the Super Eagles at the World Cup in 2002.
The bandana-wearing player was on duty against Argentina in the first match and England in the third as the team ended the competition winless.
The former Huddersfield Town player has since retired with 12 caps and settled with his family in the United Kingdom.
Efe Sodje
17. Julius Aghahowa
The then 20-year-old scored a header against Sweden and celebrated his goal with his trademark multiple flips but it was not enough to give Nigeria the victory as it ended 1-2 at full time.
The former Bendel Insurance striker became anonymous since 2007 due to the rising profile of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins. He retired in 2011.
Julius Aghahowa
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18. Benedict Akwegbu
Akwegbu played all 90 minutes against the English national side but could not find the back of the net for the Super Eagles.
However, he was the assistant general manager of Heartland for two years and technical director with Mighty Jets of Jos. He also managed an Austrian side called FC Gratkon.
Benedict Akwegbu
19. Eric Ejiofor
One of the lucky home based players with Enyimba given a call up and was later signed by Maccabi Haifa in that same year yet making it to the World Cup.
However the central defender did not play a single game for the Super Eagles at the competition. With just 14 caps for Nigeria. Ejiofor is now a business man based in Lagos.
Eric Okafor
20. James Obiorah
The former U-17 captain got an unlikely call from Onigbinde and made the final list to the World Cup.
The Ex-Lokomotive Moscow midfielder played two friendlies before the World Cup and was in action against Sven Goran Erikson’s English tutored side.
The former Enyimba player last played for French club FC Toulon in 2008 and had ever since retired from football with three caps to his name.
James Obiorah
21. John Utaka
The striker made little or impact in the match against Sweden but matured over the years to later become one of the most sought after Nigerian talent.
Utaka played 49 times scoring six goals one of which was the winning goal against Cameroon at the 2004 Nations Cup quarter finals.
The former Portsmouth forward is still in contract with French lower division side Sedan and he is yet to play this season.
John Utaka
22. Vincent Enyeama
The former Enyimba number one made a fantastic save that earned him plaudits from admirers after he parried a long range effort from Paul Scholes.
Today, the services of the former Super Eagles captain is still needed for the Russia 2018 World Cup by coach Gernot Rohr but the Lille player has said he can only come out of retirement when he is 100% fit.
Vincent Enyeama
23. Femi Opabunmi
The pacy 17-year-old was given a golden opportunity to shine brightly at the World Cup but had only a chance to play against England.
Femi Opabunmi
The former Grasshopper winger had a good spell in Switzerland before running into problems. He is now struggling with his sight owing to eye illnesses.
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Source: Sports.naija.ng
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