By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

Nigeria must deal with the expectations of their diehard fans

Nigeria only just achieved qualification for the 2010 World Cup - but fans are confident the team can be in the reckoning in South Africa.

Even though the Super Eagles were unbeaten in their qualifying matches, it was an unconvincing campaign.

But with a repeat of the 2006 World Cup absence averted, gloom has been replaced by expectations.

"We have been through a lot to get here," Rafiu Ladipo of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, told the BBC.

"Now we hope for a favourable draw to enable us to sail into the next round."

Nigeria have made three previous appearances at the World Cup - in 1994, 1998 and 2002.

But current form suggests they are the not regarded as one of the contenders.

Individually, Nigeria's playing representatives in Europe continue to shine.

And the players believe they can still challenge for both the Nations Cup in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa.

"Regular changes and other problems affected us as a team in the past but the players have all learned their lessons now." Everton defender and Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo said.

"We have already been pushed to the wall, so it is now up to us to fight for the country and prove we deserve a place in history and not in the hall of disgrace.

"Angola provides us with the platform to win over the fans, media and everyone around the world who believed in us."

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