Super Eagles are learning to fly again

Which Nigeria will turn up at the World Cup? The Nigeria who so enthralled in the USA in 1994, or the Nigeria who have frustrated so often since? While many feel that the Super Eagles will barely have time to land before they are packing their bags for home, it would be unwise to under-estimate any team boasting the likes of Kanu, Taribo West, Finidi George, Celestine Babayaro, and, most importantly, Augustine Okocha.

Okocha, who was once described by Pele as the African Maradona, believes his country have a chance causing an upset or two in Group F. "We don't have anything to lose," says Okocha, who is better known as Jay-Jay, "because people are not expecting much from us. Nothing is impossible. We might make it past the group stage, but if not, we will live with it."

Okocha's recent years have been a mirror image of his country's. One of the stars of France 98, he earned himself a move to a big European club, Paris Saint-Germain, and has done little since. "People say that Nigeria are a talented group who can't get their act together," the 28-year-old says. "Well, they're right. We should be doing better, but we need stability and consistency for that to happen."

Following a shaky 12 months – during which they secured their finals berthon the last day of qualification and then sacked their coach, Shaibu Amodu – Nigeria are turning the corner. The first decision of Shaibu's replacement, Adegboye Onigbinde, was to strip Sunday Oliseh of the captaincy and hand the armband to Kanu, since when it has passed on to Okocha. Stability is returning. "The players real-ise that we have a wonderful chance to do something at the World Cup," Okocha says, "and that we would be better off concentrating on that rather than fighting among ourselves."

Okocha, who is said to be heading for the Premiership next season, harbours genuine hopes that Nigeria can win the Cup. "Why not?" he says. "We still have a long way to go, but Africa is catching up fast. Whatever happens in 2002, the future belongs to us."