Nigeria picks 2010 bid team

By Eniwoke Ibagere BBC Sport Online in Lagos

Sports minister Stephen Akiga backs the World Cup idea

Nigeria has named a 15-man committee to spearhead the project of winning the hosting rights for the 2010 World Cup.

The country is involved in a bid with Ghana, Benin, Togo and Cameroon to bring the 32-team tournament to West Africa.

But there are no representatives from the other countries on the committee, headed by Segun Odegbami, a former Super Eagles captain.

Odegbami announced that Nigeria will have four of the venues, while the rest will be spread across the other countries involved.

Nigeria joins forces for 2010 bid

Caf official Patrick Okpomo, Nigerian FA chairman Ibrahim Galadima and secretary-general, Taiwo Ogunjobi are also included.

Sports ministry spokesman Victor Iroele told BBC Sport Online that Greek businessman John Mastoroudes represents the international community on the bid committee.

Iroele said the committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city.

"Funding details of the World Cup bid will be revealed there," Iroele said.

Nigeria registered its individual interest in staging the 32-team tournament a day before the 31 December deadline set by Fifa, soccer's world ruling body.

Ghana give Nigeria support

However, Fifa said the joint-bid information was not included in the initial document.

Five other African countries including Egypt, Libya and South Africa, have also submitted their initial bids to host the finals.

On Friday, Morocco and Tunisia revealed they are planning a joint-bid.