Akide has faith in Omagbemi's leadership

Nigeria captain Florence Omagbemi is getting ready to play in her fourth women's World Cup in the United States this month at the age of 28.

Omagbemi belongs to an exclusive global club of nine players - including team mate Nkiru Okosieme, the USA's Mia Hamm and China's Sun Wen - that will achieve this historic feat.

The midfielder was just 16 when she made her World Cup debut in China in 1991.

And she will have a big role to play in helping her less experienced team mates adjust to the world stage when the tournament gets underway on Sunday.

"As captain, I try to have good qualities both on and off the pitch," Omagbemi told the Fifa worldcup.com website.

"With Sam [Okpodu] as coach, we have made better strides, and we're confident that we can build on what we've done.

I try to have good qualities both on and off the pitch Florence Omagbemi Nigeria captain

"I believe in what he's trying to do, namely combining the African style of play with American organisation.

"I feel like we're better prepared than in 1999 when we went to the quarter-finals, so who knows what may happen."

The Super Falcons coach Okpodu thinks Omagbemi is the key to success for his team.

"Flo needs to direct people even more from the back and take more responsibility as a captain," said Okpodu.

"Her leadership can be very important for us because when the other players see her stepping up and taking responsibility, that leads them to take their own ownership of how we do."

Striker Mercy Akide, one of Omagbemi's best friends, said the team has complete faith in the skipper's abilities.

"As a player, she controls the game for us, and as captain she has great football experience and qualities," said Akide.

The African champions North Korea in their opening match in Philadelphia on Saturday.