How they qualified

Won the Cup of Nations this year and were unbeaten in six group games before a 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia in the two-legged play-off which owed a debt of gratitude to the fine form of Lille’s unbreachable goalkeeper Victor Enyeama.

World Cup high

Eighty-eight minutes into their round of 16 match at their debut tournament in 1994 against 10-man Italy, Nigeria were 1-0 up until Rip Van Baggio at last awoke and equalised with a superb shot and then scored the extra-time winner from the spot.

World Cup low

Two defeats, one to Greece, and a draw in 2010 enraged Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, to such a peak of Rumpelstiltskin rage that he banned the team from playing international matches for two years before backtracking a week later.

Familiar faces

Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea) and John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Liverpool), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United), Danny Shittu (Millwall).

The manager

Stephen Keshi was sacked as assistant manager before the 2002 World Cup finals and dismissed by Togo before the 2006 finals despite being instrumental in their qualification campaigns. Third time lucky for “Terry” Keshi, former Anderlecht full-back, who earned his nickname because as a player he adopted the overlapping style of Leeds United and England left-back Terry “Top Cat” Cooper.

How in danger is he?

On the eve of three of their past five finals tournaments the qualifying manager has been fired: 7/10

Most likely to light up Brazil

Wor Shola Ameobi, millinery fetishist, interior design guru, Walker Boys Club alumnus and international football latecomer is enjoying an Indian summer with Newcastle and the Super Eagles and is a devastatingly powerful and classy centre-forward when sporadically fit.

Most likely to be sent home in disgrace

Celtic’s Efe Ambrose was sent off against Burkina Faso but the likelihood as ever with Nigeria is the government, or FA, shooting themselves in the foot and alienating the players by withholding payments or making asinine knee-jerk condemnations.

Title odds

250/1

The stereotype is …

Chaotic organisation, defensive indiscipline, John Obi Mikel doing his Ray Wilkins crab-dance and flash, amusement arcade forwards more interested in winning goal of the tournament than the golden boot.

The reality is ...

Excellent goalkeeper, industrious and mean defence, Mikel less inhibited and betraying hints of why Chelsea fought so hard to get him and a dangerous, bullocking forward in Emmanuel Emenike.

What they’re known for?

Potent Guinness 12 per cent

419 scams 21 per cent

Band on the Run 9 per cent

Oil 40 per cent

Sub-Australian standard soaps 18 per cent

How Brazilian are they?

Won Olympic gold in 1996 which gave erectile dysfunction’s Pele a last hope of fulfilment for his prediction that an African nation would win the World Cup before 2000. Both share regional status as largest country.

How Google translates the national anthem

Help our youth the truth to know, in love and honesty to grow

Duration

A breezy, Ronnie Hazlehurst-esque 55sec.

How to dress like their fans

Green and white face-paint, green and white Harpo Marx wigs, green and white clothes. Think Plymouth Argyle or retro, spearmint-flavoured, sickly confectionery, Pacers, formerly Opal Mints.

Commentator's go-to stat

One sixth of Africa’s population lives in Nigeria. Ameobi scored as many England Under-21 goals (seven) as Jermain Defoe.