Vincent Enyeama: We are ready for Iran and that is what is on our minds at the moment; bonus issue is sorted out, Brazilians mob Mikel, Osaze, Moses

Riod de Janeiro — Nigeria's World Cup players, the Super Eagles were each offered a $102,500 incentive to win the World Cup, with the NFF saying it had reached an agreement with the squad over their traditionally troublesome bonus payments.

The Nigeria Football Federation claimed that the latest World Cup bonuses had been sorted out, but only announced it on the eve of Monday's opening game against Iran. Adding that each player will get $10,000 each for every group stage win at the World Cup, $12,500 for winning in the round of 16, another $15,000 for winning a quarterfinal, $20,000 for the semifinals and $25,000 for lifting the trophy.

There had been signs of discontent among the squad this week and David Mark, senate president, visited the squad at its base in the city of Campinas, north of Sao Paulo to mediate.

Brazil 2014: Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track to build on their success as African champions at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles have played in five of the past six World Cups but after reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998, have taken just two points from their past six matches in the finals.

They come into the tournament on a high, however, after winning last year’s Africa Cup of Nations and boasting the likes of Mikel, his Chelsea team-mate Victor Moses and forward Emmanuel Emenike.

“This is my first World Cup,” Mikel said after a training session in Campinas. “I want to make sure we achieve something coming here. We don’t just want to come and make up the numbers, we want to do well.

“I have to make sure I lead by example. We are all driving in the same direction. We all know what we want and hopefully we will have a good tournament.”

U.S beats African Champions 2-1

Jozy Altidore insists his six-month scoreless streak never bothered him. No sleepless nights. No feelings of frustration. Not even a bit of worry it would stretch into the World Cup. His coach believes otherwise. Whatever the case, Altidore and the United States won't have to deal with that story line in Brazil.

Altidore scored a pair of goals to lead the United States over Nigeria 2-1 Saturday night in the Americans' World Cup send-off match.

Brazil World Cup: See How Fans Rate Supers Eagles’ Strikers

Football fans in Lagos on Saturday rated the strikers of the Super Eagles selected for the World Cup in Brazil as an average lot.

In separate interviews in Lagos they said that they did not expect the strikers to score a lot of goals at the World Cup.
The strikers are Osaze Odemwinge, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor, Shola Ameobi and Nnamdi Odumadi.

Dan Ikpoyi, a photo journalist, said that he did not expect the strikers to be so proficient in scoring goals because the likes of Ike Uche and Brown Ideye are absent.

“I do not expect a lot of efficiency since we did not go with Ike Uche that has a fighting spirit and Brown Ideye that likes to play behind a main striker for rebounds.

Brazil 2014: Chelsea Congratulates Mikel, Moses and Omeruo

The Chelsea FC of London has congratulated the Nigerian trio, Mikel, Mose and Omeruo for making the Nigerian Eagles Squad to the Brazil FIFA World Cup. 

Nigeria will be one of the nations with the greatest Chelsea representation at the World Cup which starts next week. John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo are selected by the Nigerian national team coach Stephen Keshi as part of the Super Eagles' squad.

It will be the first World Cup finals for all three, Mikel having missed out on the 2010 tournament due to injury.

The reigning African champions start their group stage against Iran with games versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina to follow.

Eagles' provisional 30-man list for FIFA 2014 World Cup out, Osaze, Yobo in

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has on Tuesday announced the Nigeria’s provisional 30-man list for the Brazil FIFA 2014 World Cup. The list, submitted by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was read on Tuesday evening by a member of the Technical Committee of the NFF, Paul Bassey.

Full list of the Nigeria Squad for FIFA 2014 World Cup:

Goal Keepers – Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim (Gombe Utd), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves).

Defenders – Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders – John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi (Rangers Int’l), Sunday Mba, Gabriel Rueben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi, Michael Uchebo.

Mikel, Moses may ruin Eagles' chances in Brazil, Akanni , Keshi on opposing Opinios

Nigerian Ex-international, Waheed Akanni has expressed concern at the lack of playing time for some of Super Eagles’ key players at their clubs as the World Cup approaches in Brazil.

Both John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses  of Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC of England respectively are expected to lead the Eagles’ battle in Brazil less than two months from now, but they have been relegated to non-starting roles at their clubs, Akani Said.

It was  also that the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi  expressed worry of this fact too, but  he however, said that the duo are capable of great performances when playing while Akanni feels this could impact on the team’s chance to make good progress in Brazil.

“To be honest, Super Eagles  will do their best at the World Cup but I am not sure we will get to where a lot of people think we will get to in Brazil,” Akanni told Goal.