FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. The 2010 World Cup, played between 11 June and 11 July, marked the first occasion that the finals have been played on the African continent. Only the host nation received an automatic place in the finals while Italy, world champions in 2006, had to negotiate their way through the qualifying competition. The 2010 World Cup, played between 11 June and 11 July, marked the first occasion that the finals have been played on the African continent. Only the host nation received an automatic place in the finals while Italy, world champions in 2006, had to negotiate their way through the qualifying competition.
Sports manufacturers Nike have revealed the new Nigeria kits ahead of the Super Eagles' World Cup campaign.
Nike Football shared a video on their official YouTube channel which reveals several of the national team's key men catching a first glimpse of the team's new attire.
In the 1 minute 20 second clip, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho are shown giving their verdict on what is a dazzling offering from Nike.
'I can see the players going crazy over this one,' Mikel said when he was shown the national side's home shirt, in Nigeria's famous dark green with an eye-catching neon logo.
The Nigeria National Team Collection for Naija's Super Eagles. pic.twitter.com/hSzkk06N4H
- Heidi Burgett (@heidiburgett) February 7, 2018
The away kit, a neon and white retro design on the body, and dark green chevrons on a white background on the arms, received a more muted response.
'This is different, you know,' Iwobi added, somewhat diplomatically, while Ndidi was a little more enthusiastic, claiming he just 'couldn't wait' to get the kit on in Russia this summer.
Despite the mixed reaction, the kit's similarity to the iconic shirts worn by the nation's Golden Generation in their maiden World Cup campaign in the United States in 1994 should earn it major points for nostalgia among Super Eagles supporters.
Ghana 2010 World Cup Shirt
'A constant in Nigeria is an endearing love of football,' NFF President Amaju Pinnick, told Nike's official website. 'When football is on, everything stops. The new Nike kit designs honour our federation's rich traditions. Moreover, they celebrate everything we relish about our culture.'
'It's nice, it's cultural,' says Wilfred Ndidi...somewhat unconvincingly.#Naija #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/ZMd3i9f9Tj
- Ed Dove (@EddyDove) February 7, 2018
'With Nigeria, we wanted to tap into the attitude of the nation,' added Dan Farron, Nike Football Design Director. 'We built this kit and collection based on the players' full identities.
'We started to see trends in attitude and energy connecting the athletes to music, fashion and more. They are part of a resoundingly cool culture.'
2010 World Cup Scandal
According to the New Telegraph Online, Nike presented the kits to the Nigeria Football Federation at a ceremony in London on Wednesday.
Nigeria are using Nike as their kit manufacturer after having been fitted by Adidas for their last two World Cup campaigns - in 2010 and 2014.
They will wear the shirts for the first time on March 23 when they face Poland in a friendly in Warsaw.
Nigeria have been pitted against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in World Cup Group D.
Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil this summer we're picking out our top 5 World Cup shirts from various different nations. We've already picked the best of host Brazil and defending champions Spain and now it's time for France. From 5 to 1 here's our pick of the World Cup jerseys kits from les Bleus.
Iniesta 2010 World Cup Shirt
5 | South Korea and Japan 2002
Sneaking in at number five is this simple number by adidas who have manufactured all of our top five. 2002 wasn't the most successful outing for the French, the defending champions managed to finish bottom of their qualifying group scoring a grand total of zero goals and losing to Senegal in the opening game of the tournament.
4 | Mexico 1986
Our number four French World Cup kit is this retrotastic offering worn for Mexico 86. Not the oldest kit on our list but still a stunner. The white ring around the top of the socks is a design feature we definitely dig. France were favourites to win the competition on 86 and reached the semi-finals. However a loss to West Germany meant they could only muster third place.
3 | South Africa 2010
France's most recent World Cup outing comes in at number three with a performance orientated design. A white V-neck collar, funky graphics over the rib-cage area and a slim fit meant it looked great on the pro's but was one to forget for the larger supporter. So was the tournament which was most notable for Nicolas Anelka being dismissed for a dispute with manager Raymond Domenech and the players boycotting training before their third match.
2 | France 1998
Narrowly missing out on first place is France's World Cup winning kit from 1998. A bold horizontal stripe design made sure the now iconic kit stood out from the crowd when France hosted football's biggest stage. Worn by French legends Zinedine Zidane and Emmanuel Petit who combined to score three goals in their final win over Brazil, the shirt is an out and out classic.
1 | Spain 1982
Only a design as cool as France's 1982 strip could beat a World Cup winning kit to number one. Even cooler is the photograph of French midfielder Jean Tigana and defender Gerard Janvion taken before the start of their third place match against Poland. They may not have won the World Cup that year but they definitely triumphed in the style stakes.
That's our top five France kits of all time, what are yours? Let us know. Drop us a line in the comments below.