The Nigerian Team

AFCON HISTORY

Best Performance Winners - 1980 & 1994

Champions 1980 & 1994

Runners-Up 1984, 1988, 1990 & 2000

Third Place 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006 & 2010

Fourth Place None

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

Nigeria qualified for this tournament by defeating Liberia 8-3 on aggregate in October. The Super Eagles missed out on qualifying for the 2012 tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea for the first time in 26 years. They returned to the continental competition with an emphatic victory over the Lone Stars after a shaky two-legged encounter against Rwanda. Former captain and present coach Stephen Keshi is hoping to rebuild a side that would emulate his 1994 championship-winning team.

THE COACH - Stephen Keshi

Stephen Keshi took over the reins as coach of the Super Eagles in November 2011 after the team failed to qualify for the 2012 Afcon, the first time in 26 years. He took over the job at a time when the side was low in confidence and started by getting players from the local league to play a greater part in the national team.

A year on, Keshi has been able to merge the technical skills of the Europe-based players with the enthusiasm of the local players. They have combined well to form a new Super Eagles that the country is beginning to place its hopes in again. Leading his third team to the Afcon - following stints with Togo and Mali - Keshi will be hoping to finally win his first Afcon game. His experience garnered as a player where he led the Eagles to victory in 1994 will be needed to inspire this Nigerian side to great things in South Africa.

THE CAPTAIN - Joseph Yobo

Defender Joseph Yobo took over the skipper's armband from Nwankwo Kanu after the shambolic 2010 World Cup where Nigeria bowed out in the group stage. Yobo has brought a calmness to the backline, even though he has been dogged by persistent injuries in recent times.

The Fenerbahce defender, who became the most capped player in his country's history, has already won three bronze medals at the Afcon. In South Africa, Yobo will be hoping to finally win the coveted trophy in order to justify the length of time spent in the country's service.

THE STAR PLAYER - John Obi Mikel

Goalkeepers : Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers)

Defenders : Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars)

Midfielders : John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars)

Strikers : Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers)