WHAT impact would the Eagles make at the World Cup in South Africa? These concerns remain genuine and inform the pressure the Eagles face as they take on two-time champion Argentina.

After the failure of Nigeria to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, the loss of rhythm of maintaining a momentum that began in 1994 is already telling.

Nigerians are apprehensive about the abilities of the team making the return memorable for the exciting performance of the team.

Saturday’s encounter is fundamental to the future of the Eagles in this World Cup. Unfortunately, the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, is more concerned with the preparations for its elections that should be held after the World Cup than in a game that millions of Nigerians are worried about the outcome.

Argentina may be the focus of the anxieties of Nigerians but the other two teams – Greece and South Korea -  can still do damage unless the Eagles make serious changes in their approach to the game, particularly in the opening game against Argentina where the contest for qualifications for the next round begins.

The speed of the Eagles causes problems for everyone. The team has a defence that creates pressures for itself and the pace of the other teams could be too fast for a team that is slow both in attack and defence.

Nigerians are behind their team on the sentiments that only run on national emotions called patriotism. The reality is that the Eagles are not at their best. The hiring of a foreign coach might have re-kindled a bit of professionalism in the players which has proven inadequate to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the team.

As the NFA concentrates on its own well being, the team is virtually left to battle with the distraction that hundreds of Nigerians who celebrate their importance by hanging around the team present.

The challenges are enormous. The odds are highly stacked against the Eagles, but there are opportunities for the team to surprise. The Eagles should explore the chances of the World Cup to re-state the place of Nigerian football on the world stage. It is up to the players to make the point that they are professionals.

For professionals who have the unique platform of the World Cup to trade their skills, the Eagles are among a privileged lot that their countries have chosen to join the global community of elite footballers, only 736 of them.

Professional pride is at stake. The patriotism of the individual players also counts. Their future might not be entirely tied to the World Cup, but they probably have more to benefit from the results of the World Cup than any other group.

Whatever the opposition, Nigerians expect the Eagles to grab the moment and create memories that would endure until 2014 when next World Cup holds in Brazil.

We wish the Eagles well. They can make this Nigeria’s best World Cup, it is actually up to them