The Super Eagles join much-fancied Argentina in Group B along with Greece and South Korea, with their second-round opponents - should they qualify - coming from an evenly-matched Group A featuring France, Uruguay, Mexico and hosts South Africa.

Kanu is confident Nigeria can overcome that series of tests to make good progress in the first World Cup to be staged in their home continent.

A strong run in the 1990s saw Nigeria reach the knockout stages of two successive World Cups, in between times winning the 1996 Olympic gold medal in the United States.

"Considering what we have done in '94, '96, '98, everybody believes we are one of the big countries in Africa, so definitely we have to produce," Kanu said.

"When we are not producing, that is when it is difficult. So the pressure comes.

"For me, I can say we are going to go up to the semi-finals, maybe even the final. We believe we can beat any team any time, but you're going to have to play very well."