Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 6y

Picking a Nigeria XI never to play at the World Cup

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, KweséESPN pick a Nigeria XI of Super Eagles who never played on the grandest stage of all.

Nigeria's legends of the last 20 years have all had opportunities to showcase their wares in front of a global audience, but before the nation's maiden qualification in 1994, several generations of Eagles never appeared in the tournament.

In this feature, KweséESPN's Colin Udoh picks his cross-generational XI of Nigerian players who never made it to the World Cup.

GK: Emmanuel Okala

Until Vincent Enyeama's arrival and record-setting appearances for Nigeria, Okala was the undisputed leader of the goalkeeping field.

Big, imposing and just as unsparing with his own defenders as he was unyielding with the opposition, Okala would have risen to the occasion of the World Cup.

RB: Bright Omokaro

Getting past Omokaro was always something of a disquieting prospect for strikers.

His 'all-in, take-no-prisoners' style was an intimidating deterrence, especially in those days where strikers did not get the same kind of protections as modern forwards.

Terry Butcher would have admired Omokaro's no-nonsense approach!

LB: Yisa Sofoluwe

An excellent reader of the game, Sofoluwe was a modern full-back before the concept was a widespread notion.

Nicknamed 'The Minister of Defence' for his organizational skills, Sofoluwe controlled the play from his lateral position and would have slotted in seamlessly among the greats at the World Cup.

CB: Godwin Achebe

If Chukwu wrote the book on Nigerian liberos, it was only as a spin-off to the overall tome on defending penned by Achebe.

One of the youngest players to be named national team captain, Achebe took time off for the Nigerian Civil War but returned immediately afterwards and instantly earned his position in the team back!

CB: Christian Chukwu

One of Nigeria's all-time great central defenders, the Chairman wrote the book on the Nigerian libero, defending with the measured calm of a master.

His driving runs upfront always meant danger for the opposition, and he captained Nigeria to their first Nations Cup win in 1980.

MF: Haruna Ilerika

The previous incarnation of Jay-Jay Okocha, Ilerika was dynamite in a pocket-sized package.

His outrageous skill and impeccable technique weren't matched until Okocha burst onto the national consciousness.

All who saw him play are unanimous that Okocha would have been Ilerika's apprentice, such was the latter's composure and confidence with the ball at his feet.

MF: Mudashiru Lawal

Until it was equalled by Kanu, then broken by Jospeh Yobo and extended by Vincent Enyeama, Muda held the record of being the most capped Nigerian player, having amassed 86 appearances.

At a time when international games were few and far between, this was no mean achievement, and it's a shame that the midfielder never got the chance to play in the World Cup.

MF: Henry Nwosu

Like Ilerika and Okocha, Nwosu's ball skills were sublime.

Having made his international debut as a teenager, Nwosu went on to make 60 appearances and captained the Eagles.

If his perfectly legitimate headed goal against Cameroon in Yaounde had been allowed to stand, he and many of his contemporaries in this list would have had the opportunity to play at the Mundial in 1990.

MF: Adokiye Amiesimaka

Amiesimaka boasted one of the most magical left feet to ever grace a football field, and was at once quick and skilled with footwork so exquisite he would beat players with the same move over and over again.

He thrived on the left side for the likes of Enugu Rangers, Sharks FC and ABC Lagos, and was an AFCON winner in 1980.

FW: Segun Odegbami

For years, Odegbami held the record as Nigeria's highest international goalscorer, until he was toppled by Rashidi Yekini.

A converted winger, Odegbami combined his skills as a wide player with deadly finishing when leading the line, and was nicknamed 'Mathematical' due to his intelligence.

He narrowly lost out on being named African Player of the Year.

FW: Etim Esin

It's such a shame that Etim Esin's international career only lasted 12 games.

One of the most outrageously gifted players to ever represent the country, Esin was nicknamed Maradona, which offers a glimpse as to the exceptional talent the forward was blessed with.

Personal and legal problems in Belgium meant he never quite fulfilled his full potential, but Esin at the top of his game was a genuine delight to watch.

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