With an average age of 25.9, Nigeria's squad is the most inexperienced at this summer's World Cup. It's not without its leaders, however, and that blend of rookies and veterans could serve the Super Eagles well as they attempt to reach the last 16 for the fourth time in six finals appearances.
The obstacles standing in their way are significant. Aside from 2014 finalist Argentina, Croatia represents a serious test and Iceland is coming in hot to its first World Cup after a surprisingly successful Euro 2016 campaign. However, Nigeria stunned the Lionel Messi-less Albiceleste with a 4-2 victory in a friendly in Russia in November, and should not feel a similar surprise is out of the question in the same country this month.
Group stage schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Croatia | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| June 22 | Iceland | 11:00 a.m. ET |
| June 26 | Argentina | 2:00 p.m. ET |
Projected starting XI
After first-choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme's leukaemia diagnosis sadly ruled him out indefinitely, coach Gernot Rohr has elected to blood 19-year-old Deportivo La Coruna stopper Francis Uzoho. The idea of a 'keeper who only made his senior club debut in October being a starter at a World Cup is remarkable, but recent signs point towards Uzoho getting the nod despite conceding a soft goal to England's Harry Kane in a warm-up friendly at the start of the month.
Players such as captain Mikel John Obi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, and Odion Ighalo will be familiar to many and are likely locked in for the XI, while new Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Leon Balogun's burgeoning partnership with William Troost-Ekong should continue.
Related: Full squad lists for each nation
Key player: Mikel John Obi
Mikel, instantly recognisable to many after spending more than a decade at Chelsea, is the leader of this side. Without him in 2010, Nigeria failed to get out of the group. With him four years ago, it secured its first passage to the knockout round since 1998, despite also facing this year's opponent, Argentina, in the group stage.
Now his country's captain, his physicality and prowess in turning over the ball and starting attacks from deep will be crucial if Nigeria is to once again finish second behind the South American nation.
Breakout star: Leon Balogun
The Berlin-born player who spent his entire club career in Germany before his move to Brighton will be looking to show his talents on the world stage before beginning life in the lucrative microcosm of the Premier League. Despite owning just 18 caps, at 29, he is another of the more senior figures in this squad, and he will have to play like it.
Accomplished with the ball at his feet, Balogun is the more stylish of Nigeria's centre-backs alongside the rustic Troost-Ekong. That pairing has a huge task keeping opposition frontlines quiet, but by the same token, strong performances against global stars could propel Balogun to new acclaim.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
