Nigeria were an unknown quantity at the senior level of international football when they participated in their first World Cup at USA '94. Coming off a victory at that year's African Nations Cup in Tunisia, the Super Eagles led by Dutchman Clemens Westerhof were brimming with confidence that was derived from a collection of quality players which only Ivory Coast can boast of among the countries representing Africa this time around.

Unlike Didier Drogba's team mates though, the Eagles of that time were not playing in the biggest European clubs. Most of them played in Belgium; it was the Mecca of African players then. Others were in the lower strata of the Spanish Primera Liga, Portugal, Italy, Greece and even the MLS. But they had one thing going for them, they had a hunger and having already conquered Africa felt that they could conquer any opposition at the Mundial.

And so when they were drawn alongside Maradona's boys as well as Bulgaria and Greece, many of my compatriots never had any fear in them. We knew it was a matter of eleven men standing up to another eleven with a round Adidas ball in the middle.

Six goals and two wins in three matches suddenly made us begin to walk taller than ourselves. Rashidi Yekini's first World Cup goal still gives me goose bumps today. And that 'flying saucer' header from Emmanuel Amuneke is simply out of this world. We all danced along with Daniel Amokachi's 'shakings' and I still cannot figure out what George Finidi's corner celebration meant. Growing up watching the Eagles of '94 was a delight to everybody.

On the night that we lost to Roberto Baggio's Italy in the Round of 16 I quietly withdrew into my room and wet my pillow with my teenage tears. It was shattering. The dream of winning the World Cup had ended as soon as it had begun. It is the reason why still today I never support the Azzurri and enjoy seeing them lose whenever they do.

France '98 came with its false hopes as well and even though the Uche Okechukwu-led team started well, beating Spain 3-2 with that rocket from Sunday Oliseh, they failed to make it past the Second Round again due to complacency, that thing that works against many Nigerian teams every now and again.

I remember one of the TV commentators at that tournament saying that the 'only team that can beat these Nigerians are the Nigerians themselves.' They took their eyes off the pedal and allowed Denmark to run circles around them in a 4-1 defeat.

It was to be the end of an era for most of the boys who had come through Westerhof. Not many expected us to perform well at Korea/Japan 2002 and we did not disappoint. The team's administration had changed hands a few months before the tournament and in trying to quash the rebellion in-house, new coach Adegboye Onigbinde dropped many of Shuaibu Amodu's regulars who had fought hard to gain qualification and replaced them with young bloods that were seeking fame and winning their first caps for the national team.

It was largely an experimental team so it was not so crushing when they lost their first game against Argentina through a Gabriel Batistuta header and the second game to Sweden 2-1. A goalless draw with David Beckham's England made the team look in good shape for the future and it has kept some of the more promising lads till today. Missing out on Germany 2006 was a great blow to many of us but we've lived to fight another day, even though it was not any easier this time around.

Going into the 2010 World Cup ought to mean a different ball game entirely for Nigeria but the same old issues dog the country's preparations. The foreign coach versus local coach dilemma still troubles us. Personally, I think Amodu should lead the team to the tournament as long as he is given all the support he needs from the Glass House.

He needs to be shown that he is in charge of the team, thereby earning the full respect of his lads and working on tactics that will see them excel. Nigeria is, like all the African teams, lucky that this tournament is being played at home and can hope to ride on the wave of support and excitement of home crowds. It was this fervour that spurred Egypt to beat Italy during this year's Confederations Cup and saw Bafana Bafana almost put a spanner in the works of Brazil in the semi-final.

Nigeria will do well in this World Cup if we can get on to the rhythm that is flowing through Africa at the moment. If we plan well and make sure that players' bonuses are paid, ensure discipline and stay true to the spirit of Africa, we shall soar once again as the Super Eagles of Africa and bury the ghosts of past failures, creating a new glorious future for our football.

We can do it, we are a very resilient people. Obafemi Martins putting his career on the line to score for us in Kenya is one such example of the spirit of the Nigerians. We never say die and we will face our opponents with vigour when the games begin in June. Watch out world, Nigeria the sleeping giant rises again.