Injured on the eve of World Cup ’98, but returned to take his place between the sticks for the 2002 tournament.
He was criticised for his performances at the ’02 Africa Cup of Nations, where his rustiness showed through after being without a club for most of the season.
Lower-league cult hero in English football, Sodje’s ‘Against All Odds’ bandana made him one of the most recognisable players at the 2002 tournament, even though he’d not featured for Nigeria before the tournament.
He played in the games against Argentina and England, putting in a whole-hearted play in the latter fixture as the Three Lions were held to a 0-0 draw.
Started both Argentina and Sweden matches in the centre of the defence, seeing off competition from Ifeanzi Udeze to start.
This would represent the premature end of the legend’s international career.
Struggled during the tournament, despite playing every minute of every game, and failed to really generate chemistry alongside West in the heart of the backline.
Udeze or Joseph Yobo might have been a wiser option alongside the Pastor.
Entered the tournament on the back of a disrupted season with Chelsea, where a thigh strain had stymied his progress.
Featured in the first two matches, taking a more advanced role in the defeat by Sweden.
The only player to have featured for every single minute of both the Nations Cup and the World Cup, Yobo occupied Nigeria’s right-back position, before coming inside later in his career.
An undisputed starter in the heart of the park for Nigeria, Okocha didn’t have as much influence as he had done in 1998—perhaps because of the absence of Sunday Oliseh—but he still starred in the draw with England.
He wore the armband in Oliseh’s absence.
Started against Argentina, but was deemed to be responsible for the Eagles’ underwhelming showing, and wasn’t seen again for the rest of the tournament.
He’d return to feature for Nigeria at two Afcons.
Paris Saint-Germain starlet, who was thrust into the action despite having been overlooked for the Nations Cup campaign earlier that year.
He started both of the opening matches, featuring initially in tandem with Nwankwo Kanu and Julius Aghahowa.
Striking sensation at the time, who entered the World Cup hotly tipped to make an impact following three goals in the Nations Cup earlier that year.
He scored against Sweden, as the Super Eagles tumbled out of the tournament, but was unable to truly build on his Afcon heroics.
Another World Cup passed Kanu by, as he started the Eagles’ Argentina defeat, was introduced as a substitute against Sweden, but wasn’t used against England.
He’d also take part in the 2010 tournament, but never truly left a mark on the grandest stage of all.
Lightning right winger was expected to start for the Eagles, but ended up coming on as a substitute in each match as other options were used on his flank.
He struggled to have the desired effect.
The midfielder only featured once at the 2002 Nations Cup—in the third-placed playoff against Mali—but replaced Garba Lawal in the starting XI during the course of the World Cup.
The strapping Belgium-based got his opportunity due to Sunday Oliseh’s fallout with Festus Onigbinde.
Played four matches at the Nations Cup earlier in the year, but the versatile defender was overlooked for the Argentina game before coming into the side against Sweden and England.
He was part of the fine rearguard display against the Three Lions.
Back-up left-back option who was one of four players who didn’t see any action during the tournament.
Provided home-based representation in the squad, and looked to compete for minutes at centre-back, but the Enyimba man ended up not getting on the field at the tournament.
One of the squad’s older heads, the Salamanca veteran featured in three matches in 1998—scoring against Spain—but was unused for the duration of the 2002 tournament.
Unlucky not to have been selected for the Nations Cup in Mali, Akwuegbu was one of five changes made by the head coach for the England game, as the Eagles gave several youngster the opportunity to taste World Cup action.
He would never again feature for Nigeria at a major tournament.
He was used by Onigbinde in warm-up games ahead of the competition, prompting speculation that he may feature, but ended up not getting any playing time.
One of a number of promising players included in the squad, Opabunmi—like many of his youthful compatriots—failed to truly realise his promise.
He started the England game, aged just 17, having not featured in the Eagles’ two defeats.
In contrast to Ejide, Enyeama wasn’t really on anyone’s radar ahead of the tournament, and even found himself behind Ademola Bankole of Crewe Alexandra in the pecking order.
He started against England—his competitive debut, aged 19—having only made his senior debut against Kenya in the May.
One outstanding save from Paul Scholes set him on his way to a remarkable international career.
An unexpected addition to the squad after impressing in pre-tournament friendlies, Obiorah played the full 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with England, providing an effective midfield screen alongside Christopher.
Didn’t feature at the Nations Cup, but was introduced for the World Cup and was an unlikely starter against Sweden.
He wasn’t able to truly make a mark in the bout, and wasn’t called again in the England match.
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