Nigeria, who will be making their fourth trip to the World Cup finals, are a country rich in football talent and a glance at almost any football league in the world is certain to throw up a few Nigerian names.
Just like the rest of west Africa, the biggest problem is nurturing that potential and turning it into the finished article.
However, the country's population of 150 million will all be confident of at least emulating their previous best showing at a World Cup, despite their struggles to get there.
The two-time African champions have reached round two twice in three attempts, during their debut in the USA in 1994 and again at France 98.
Despite being drawn with Argentina, they were handed one of the kinder draws compared with the other African teams, with South Korea and Greece completing Group B.
Daniel Amokachi, one of the stars of USA 94, said: "Our first match is vital and it is against Argentina. We just have to give our best shot to win that game.
"We have good players that can do the country proud but the problem has always been that of time. We should have enough time to work on them for the World Cup."
Amokachi, though, was from a different era and part of a more committed and better-drilled team with Rashidi Yekini and Finidi George among those he played alongside.
The current crop have their fair share of potential.
The team may be a little weak in defence, but going forward they boast the likes of John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Ikechukwu Uche.
However, they are yet to fulfil their true ability on the international stage, as illustrated by their recent qualifying campaign and African Nations Cup display.
Nigeria only qualified for South Africa on the last day of the qualification campaign, and had Mozambique to thank.
The Super Eagles had all-but given up hope by then, with Tunisia favourites to advance, but they somehow lost to group minnows Mozambique.
Three goals in 30 second-half minutes were then enough for Nigeria, who had to come from a goal down to beat Kenya.
There was plenty of enthusiasm heading into the African Nations Cup in Angola this year, but for the fourth time in five attempts they finished third.
Coach Shaibu Amodu was under severe pressure, in part due to his tactics and failure to select certain players, but also because there was a clamour for a more high-profile foreign coach. Despite that, Amodu got the team to the semi-finals.
In truth, they were lucky to get there and lost out to Ghana, and Amodu was sacked two weeks later.
Lars Lagerback was installed as his successor and it is yet to be seen what difference he can make.
After his appointment the Swede told www.fifa.com: "I think there is a realistic chance for Nigeria to go a long way in the World Cup.
"If you don't believe that you can win matches in a tournament as a team and as a coach, then you don't deserve to be at the competition."
However, the country's population of 150 million will all be confident of at least emulating their previous best showing at a World Cup, despite their struggles to get there.
The two-time African champions have reached round two twice in three attempts, during their debut in the USA in 1994 and again at France 98.
Despite being drawn with Argentina, they were handed one of the kinder draws compared with the other African teams, with South Korea and Greece completing Group B.
Daniel Amokachi, one of the stars of USA 94, said: "Our first match is vital and it is against Argentina. We just have to give our best shot to win that game.
"We have good players that can do the country proud but the problem has always been that of time. We should have enough time to work on them for the World Cup."
Amokachi, though, was from a different era and part of a more committed and better-drilled team with Rashidi Yekini and Finidi George among those he played alongside.
The current crop have their fair share of potential.
The team may be a little weak in defence, but going forward they boast the likes of John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Ikechukwu Uche.
However, they are yet to fulfil their true ability on the international stage, as illustrated by their recent qualifying campaign and African Nations Cup display.
Nigeria only qualified for South Africa on the last day of the qualification campaign, and had Mozambique to thank.
The Super Eagles had all-but given up hope by then, with Tunisia favourites to advance, but they somehow lost to group minnows Mozambique.
Three goals in 30 second-half minutes were then enough for Nigeria, who had to come from a goal down to beat Kenya.
There was plenty of enthusiasm heading into the African Nations Cup in Angola this year, but for the fourth time in five attempts they finished third.
Coach Shaibu Amodu was under severe pressure, in part due to his tactics and failure to select certain players, but also because there was a clamour for a more high-profile foreign coach. Despite that, Amodu got the team to the semi-finals.
In truth, they were lucky to get there and lost out to Ghana, and Amodu was sacked two weeks later.
Lars Lagerback was installed as his successor and it is yet to be seen what difference he can make.
After his appointment the Swede told www.fifa.com: "I think there is a realistic chance for Nigeria to go a long way in the World Cup.
"If you don't believe that you can win matches in a tournament as a team and as a coach, then you don't deserve to be at the competition."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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