--Yobo emerged best Eagle but Nigeria failed to shine in the Far East
The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, saw Nigeria again qualify with optimism even though there were some rough patches along the road.
The Liberian team inspired by George Weah proved a stubborn force and were close to truncating the Eagles aspiration of qualifying for a third World Cup in a row but a 2-1 loss to the Black Stars of Ghana in Monrovia tilted the advantage in Nigeria's favour.
The team eventually made it to the Mundial after a 3-0 win against perenial rivals, Ghana, at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.It was the first time an indigenous tactician will help the country achieve such feat. Shuaibu Amodu helped revive the team's aspiration which was on the decline after a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Leone Stars of Siera Leaone in Freetown. That led to the sacking of Dutchman, Johaness Bonfrere.
Things took a negative turn for the outspoken coach the following year as Amodu himself was fired after the Eagles struggled to a bronze medal finish at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.He was replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde.
Team Captain,Sunday Oliseh, his assistant, Finidi George and a host of other first team stars were also axed from the squad.Austine Jay Jay Okocha was named the new skipper of the side and he retained his place in the team alongside experienced stars like Nwankwo Kanu,Taribo West, Ike Shorunmu, Celestine Babayaro and Julius Aghahowa.
With a new squad and distinctive pastel green kits, the Super Eagles were expected to build on its strong performances in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups in the United States of America and France.
Nigeria were drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England. The first game against Argentina started with a strong defence that kept the first half scoreless. In the 61st minute, Gabriel Batistuta breached the Nigerian defence to put Argentina in the lead 1–0 and win the game.
Nigeria's second game against Sweden saw them take the lead but later lose 2–1.Julius Aghahowa scored the Eagles only goal of the competition after a beautiful pull out from Joseph Yobo. Nigeria then drew 0–0 with England and bowed out in the first round.
JOSEPH YOBO
After making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2001, Joseph Yobo played in the Super Eagles' three matchesin Japan and South Korea.He provided the assist for Nigeria's only goal of the tournament.
He received positive reviews for his impressive showing in the tournament and earned a loan move to English Premier League side, Everton Football Club from French side, Olympic Marseille at the end of the competition.
A £1 million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.
Yobo was also part of the Nigerian squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after which he assumed the Eagles' captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu.
Yobo became one of the most consistent players in the Everton squad, and was one of only seven players in the entire league to play every minute of every game throughout the 2006–07 season; his teammate, Joleon Lescott, also being an ever-present throughout the season.
JULIUS AGHAHOWA
Known for his pace and back-flips whenever he scores goals,Julius Aghahowa was Nigeria's lone goal scorer at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.He was Super Eagles Eagles topscorer at the 2002 African Cup of Nations Cup earlier in the year in Mali.
No doubt,Aghahowa was one of Nigeria's shinning lights at this tournament and he proved that with a well taken strike against Sweden in Nigeria's second group game against Sweden. He delighted the world with his back slips after scoring the goal.
Aghahowa played 32 matches and scored 14 goals for the Super Eagles. He also played at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
IKE SHORUNMU
Ike Shorunmu only made a last-minute entry into the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, a new squad under coach Adegboye Onigbide, as he was initially prompted to pull out in solidarity with the suspended older players. At the World Cup, he gave a good account of himself by his excellent performance in the group match against Argentina, though Eagles lost 0-1. He was also in goal against Sweden in the second game, which Nigeria lost to end his international career.
It was a sweet consolation for someone who was unlucky to miss out on the train to the France '98 World Cup. Back then,the stage was set for Shorunmu to man the post at the World Cup. He even featured in the friendly game with Germany but suddenly suffered an injury while on duty for his Swiss club, thereby ending his France ’98 dream.
Though Shorunmu’s great performance could not take the Super Eagles beyond the group stage in Korea/Japan, he was full of praise for himself, saying: “The match against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup remains the most memorable game in my life.”
SUPER EAGLES SQUAD LIST TO KOREAJAPAN 2002
NR. NAME DATE OF BIRTH POSITION
1 Ibrahim SHORUNMU 16/10/1967 GK
2 Joseph YOBO 06/09/1980 MF
3 Celestine BABAYARO 29/08/1978 DF
4 Nwankwo KANU 01/08/1976 FW
5 Isaac OKORONKWO 01/05/1978 DF
6 Taribo WEST 26/03/1974 DF
7 Pius IKEDIA 11/07/1980 FW
8 Mutiu ADEPOJU 22/12/1970 MF
9 Bartholomew OGBECHE 01/10/1984 FW
10 Jay Jay OKOCHA 14/08/1973 MF
11 Garba LAWAL 22/05/1974 MF
12 Austine EJIDE 08/04/1984 GK
13 Rabiu AFOLABI 18/04/1980 DF
14 Ifeanyi UDEZE 21/07/1980 DF
15 Justice CHRISTOPHER 24/12/1981 MF
16 Efetobore SODJE 05/10/1972 DF
17 Julius AGHAHOWA 12/02/1982 FW
18 Benedict AKWUEGBU 03/11/1974 FW
19 Eric EJIOFOR 21/07/1979 DF
20 James OBIORAH 24/08/1978 MF
21 John UTAKA 08/01/1982 FW
22 Vincent ENYEAMA 29/08/1982 GK
23 Femi OPABUNMI 03/03/1985 FW
Coach: Adegboye ONIGBINDE (NGA)
KOREA/JAPAN 2002 AWARD WINNERS
Winner: Brazil
Runner-Up: Germany
Third: Turkey
Fourth: Korea Republic
adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)
Yashin Award for the Best
Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
Best Young Player Award: Landon DONOVAN (USA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most
Entertaining Team: Korea Republic
The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, saw Nigeria again qualify with optimism even though there were some rough patches along the road.
The Liberian team inspired by George Weah proved a stubborn force and were close to truncating the Eagles aspiration of qualifying for a third World Cup in a row but a 2-1 loss to the Black Stars of Ghana in Monrovia tilted the advantage in Nigeria's favour.
The team eventually made it to the Mundial after a 3-0 win against perenial rivals, Ghana, at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.It was the first time an indigenous tactician will help the country achieve such feat. Shuaibu Amodu helped revive the team's aspiration which was on the decline after a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Leone Stars of Siera Leaone in Freetown. That led to the sacking of Dutchman, Johaness Bonfrere.
Things took a negative turn for the outspoken coach the following year as Amodu himself was fired after the Eagles struggled to a bronze medal finish at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.He was replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde.
Team Captain,Sunday Oliseh, his assistant, Finidi George and a host of other first team stars were also axed from the squad.Austine Jay Jay Okocha was named the new skipper of the side and he retained his place in the team alongside experienced stars like Nwankwo Kanu,Taribo West, Ike Shorunmu, Celestine Babayaro and Julius Aghahowa.
With a new squad and distinctive pastel green kits, the Super Eagles were expected to build on its strong performances in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups in the United States of America and France.
Nigeria were drawn into group F with powerhouses Sweden, Argentina, and England. The first game against Argentina started with a strong defence that kept the first half scoreless. In the 61st minute, Gabriel Batistuta breached the Nigerian defence to put Argentina in the lead 1–0 and win the game.
Nigeria's second game against Sweden saw them take the lead but later lose 2–1.Julius Aghahowa scored the Eagles only goal of the competition after a beautiful pull out from Joseph Yobo. Nigeria then drew 0–0 with England and bowed out in the first round.
JOSEPH YOBO
After making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2001, Joseph Yobo played in the Super Eagles' three matchesin Japan and South Korea.He provided the assist for Nigeria's only goal of the tournament.
He received positive reviews for his impressive showing in the tournament and earned a loan move to English Premier League side, Everton Football Club from French side, Olympic Marseille at the end of the competition.
A £1 million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.
Yobo was also part of the Nigerian squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after which he assumed the Eagles' captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu.
Yobo became one of the most consistent players in the Everton squad, and was one of only seven players in the entire league to play every minute of every game throughout the 2006–07 season; his teammate, Joleon Lescott, also being an ever-present throughout the season.
JULIUS AGHAHOWA
Known for his pace and back-flips whenever he scores goals,Julius Aghahowa was Nigeria's lone goal scorer at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.He was Super Eagles Eagles topscorer at the 2002 African Cup of Nations Cup earlier in the year in Mali.
No doubt,Aghahowa was one of Nigeria's shinning lights at this tournament and he proved that with a well taken strike against Sweden in Nigeria's second group game against Sweden. He delighted the world with his back slips after scoring the goal.
Aghahowa played 32 matches and scored 14 goals for the Super Eagles. He also played at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
IKE SHORUNMU
Ike Shorunmu only made a last-minute entry into the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, a new squad under coach Adegboye Onigbide, as he was initially prompted to pull out in solidarity with the suspended older players. At the World Cup, he gave a good account of himself by his excellent performance in the group match against Argentina, though Eagles lost 0-1. He was also in goal against Sweden in the second game, which Nigeria lost to end his international career.
It was a sweet consolation for someone who was unlucky to miss out on the train to the France '98 World Cup. Back then,the stage was set for Shorunmu to man the post at the World Cup. He even featured in the friendly game with Germany but suddenly suffered an injury while on duty for his Swiss club, thereby ending his France ’98 dream.
Though Shorunmu’s great performance could not take the Super Eagles beyond the group stage in Korea/Japan, he was full of praise for himself, saying: “The match against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup remains the most memorable game in my life.”
SUPER EAGLES SQUAD LIST TO KOREAJAPAN 2002
NR. NAME DATE OF BIRTH POSITION
1 Ibrahim SHORUNMU 16/10/1967 GK
2 Joseph YOBO 06/09/1980 MF
3 Celestine BABAYARO 29/08/1978 DF
4 Nwankwo KANU 01/08/1976 FW
5 Isaac OKORONKWO 01/05/1978 DF
6 Taribo WEST 26/03/1974 DF
7 Pius IKEDIA 11/07/1980 FW
8 Mutiu ADEPOJU 22/12/1970 MF
9 Bartholomew OGBECHE 01/10/1984 FW
10 Jay Jay OKOCHA 14/08/1973 MF
11 Garba LAWAL 22/05/1974 MF
12 Austine EJIDE 08/04/1984 GK
13 Rabiu AFOLABI 18/04/1980 DF
14 Ifeanyi UDEZE 21/07/1980 DF
15 Justice CHRISTOPHER 24/12/1981 MF
16 Efetobore SODJE 05/10/1972 DF
17 Julius AGHAHOWA 12/02/1982 FW
18 Benedict AKWUEGBU 03/11/1974 FW
19 Eric EJIOFOR 21/07/1979 DF
20 James OBIORAH 24/08/1978 MF
21 John UTAKA 08/01/1982 FW
22 Vincent ENYEAMA 29/08/1982 GK
23 Femi OPABUNMI 03/03/1985 FW
Coach: Adegboye ONIGBINDE (NGA)
KOREA/JAPAN 2002 AWARD WINNERS
Winner: Brazil
Runner-Up: Germany
Third: Turkey
Fourth: Korea Republic
adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)
Yashin Award for the Best
Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
Best Young Player Award: Landon DONOVAN (USA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most
Entertaining Team: Korea Republic
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