For the first time since making their World Cup debut in 1994, Nigeria travel to World Cup 2014 in Brazil with confidence that they can have a deep run in the tournament.
Winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa, Victor Moses emerged as the creative weapon for the Super Eagles in the famous triumph and could be crucial to their fortunes again.
Nigeria, under coach Stephen Keshi, has been transformed as a defensive unit, looking to break through on counter attacks. Moses, a player that is noted for both his pace and physical strength, has been instrumental for Keshi since making his debut for his nation in 2012.
Although he started his season-long loan at Liverpool in promising fashion with a standout performance and scoring in a 2-2 draw away at Swansea City, Moses did not enjoy as successful a season as he would have hoped. During the second half of the season, the 23-year-old was forced to spend almost his entire time on bench due to the emergence of Raheem Sterling.
Despite disappointing in his last two seasons at Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, Moses has never let his form dip on the international stage. His two penalties in the must win group game against Ethiopia paved the route for Nigeria to win their first Africa Cup of Nations for almost 20 years, 15 months ago.
Moses can play in variety of positions in attack, but Keshi is likely to use the 23-year-old in Brazil on the left-wing.
As much as Moses is known for his pace, his dribbling ability deserves equal praise. As a right-footed left winger, his vision near the edge of the penalty box cutting inside with the ball before executing shots on goal has produced positive results for his side in the past.
With Nigeria often relying on counter attacks to score, they may face a difficult challenge to breakdown a well organised defensive Iran team. Counter attacking tactics may be successful against Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but in order for Nigeria to have a deep run in the tournament, technique should also be given equal admiration to their pace alone.
Other wide players such as Stoke City’s Peter Odemwingie and the 21-year-old Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow could offer Keshi an extra amount of pace, but their technique and creativity may not be as great as Victor Moses. When Nigeria are in possession, his ability to cut into the centre of the pitch to become a number ten helping link the play and create between the lines means that he has the calibre and potential to be the main attraction and be the crucial weapon in all aspects of the Super Eagles attack.
