Coach predicts new Nigerian dawn

Festus Onigbinde, the newly reappointed coach of Nigeria, is adamant the Super Eagles can put their troubles behind them and mount a serious challenge to England and their other "Group of Death" rivals at the World Cup.

Nigeria's preparations for the summer extravaganza in Japan and Korea were derailed when Shaibu Amodu was sacked as coach last month following their failure to impress at the African Nations' Cup.

Onigbinde, coach for the second time, began his latest reign with Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Paraguay at Loftus Road. Only six players from the African Nations' squad remained when he called up 27 players for the friendly, with Onigbinde insisting it would be "disastrous" to take the same squad to the Far East.

With only two months to go until their opening Group F game against the World Cup favourites Argentina, Onigbinde has little time to decide on the right blend of a talented but unpredictable bunch of players. However, he feels the draw with Paraguay has put his side on the right track.

After being outplayed in the first half to trail to a Carlos Gamarra header, the Africans fought back after the break, with Jay Jay Okocha's 83rd-minute penalty just reward for their late rally.

Although Arsenal's Kanu and Celestine Babayaro of Chelsea played in the London friendly, the Ipswich winger Finidi George and Sunday Oliseh were conspicuous by their absence. However, Onigbinde insists this was not a punishment for the failure in Mali, where a series of below-par team performances culminated in their semi-final exit to Senegal. "For this game, I wanted to see what some of the new players could do as I already know about the others – that is all," he said.

Onigbinde, whose position will be re-evaluated after the World Cup, added: "This gives me a very good beginning and I am still hopeful that Nigeria can give a good account of themselves at the World Cup."