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Super Eagles’ captain Nwankwo Kanu believes the Nigerian team is capable of making it all the way in South Africa 2010.

Kanu, who captained
the Nigerian team to a historic gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in
the United States, and who will be making his third World Cup
appearance in South Africa after featuring at the 1998 and 2002
tournaments, believes the Nigerian team can still be in South Africa by
July 11 when the final comes up at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

“Considering what
we have done in 94, 96, 98, everybody believes we are one of the big
countries in Africa, so definitely we have to produce. When we are not
producing, that is when it is difficult. So the pressure comes,” said
Kanu, in an interview with Fifa.com. “For me, I can say we are going to
be up to the semi-finals… maybe even the final. We believe we can
beat any team any time, but you’re going to have to play very well.”

With a team made up
of some of the continent’s best players such as Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Osaze
Odemwingie, Taye Taiwo, and the experienced goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama,
the Super Eagles are capable of springing a couple of surprises in
South Africa. But they also have something going for them which Kanu
feels will help the team’s aspirations in South Africa.

Team spirit

“Our happiness
together is what makes us strong,” continued Kanu. “That’s what makes
the team tick because everybody is friends with each other like family
and brothers and with that we tend to go far. The spirit is like that
now.”

This winning
attitude has also made an impression on Lagerback who only took over
from Shuaibu Amodu in February. “The players have really been
professional in training and everything,” Lagerback told Fifa.com. “We
have travelled a lot and they have done that in a marvellous way. You
see a lot of smiles going around so I really enjoy working with these
guys.”

Mikel loss not a disaster

Not even the late
loss of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel to a knee injury has dented
this optimism that is coursing through the Super Eagles. “An injury in
football is never a disaster,” said Lagerback. “It’s very sad for
Mikel, and of course for the Super Eagles. He has been one of the best
players for Nigeria. So of course we will miss him, but at the same
time other players step in so it all works, I know it’s a cliché, but
it all works.”

With the previously
unheralded Lukman Haruna playing so well in the team’s build-up
matches, it appears Mikel’s absence won’t be felt by the Super Eagles;
and Kanu attributes this to the country’s talent base.

“Nigeria is always blessed with talented players, quality players,”
he said. “The most important thing is to work as a team and that is
what we are doing. Nobody knows what we can come up with on any day. On
our good day it’s difficult to handle us.”