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Super Eagles set to soar after Lagerback makes final cut

| 01.06.2010

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback has sprung a surprise by omitting strikers Victor Anichebe and Ikechukwu Uche from his final 23-man World Cup squad.

The Super Eagles are spoilt for choice in terms of forwards, and they are primed to join Argentina in the last 16 as runners up from Group B.

Indeed, such are the attacking options at Lagerback’s disposal, Nigeria are a tempting bet to be eliminated in the quarter-finals at 6/1.

With the prospect of facing probable Group A winners France in the second round, however, they are likelier candidates at 11/5 to be knocked out in the last 16.

In either case, the Super Eagles are certainly worth backing to progress to the second stage at the expense of their other group rivals, Greece and South Korea.

Real Zaragoza’s Uche is a particularly notable absentee from the final squad, as he was Nigeria’s top scorer in their qualifying campaign.

There are places for Anichebe’s Everton team-mates Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Yobo, who are two of many familiar faces in a squad packed with Premier League experience.

Portsmouth duo Kanu and John Utaka have survived the cull, as have Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu, Bolton defender Danny Shittu and Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel, who is recovering from knee surgery.

A fit-again Mikel will be a big boost for Nigeria, who have stuttered lately, drawing their last three games with Niger, Saudi Arabia and Colombia, whilst only managing to score once in the process.

They will be looking to fire in their next friendly match against North Korea, and goals should be forthcoming from a forward line that includes Yakubu and Wolfsburg’s potentially explosive Obafemi Martins.

How high do you think the Super Eagles can fly? See the full stage of elimination market.

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Author

Robbie Morris

Robbie studied sports journalism at the University of Gloucestershire, an establishment chosen for its proximity to Cheltenham racecourse, where he was a season ticket holder. Upon graduation, Robbie was a contributor to GolfPunk, a national magazine aimed at ridding golf of its traditionalist image, before joining the news.ladbrokes team.