RED Bull Salzburg of Austria defender, Rabiu Afolabi has told MTNFootball.com that he will make Nigeria’s final squad to the World Cup, if given a chance to prove himself once more in a green and white shirt.

“If the yardsticks the new coach (Lars Lagerback) will use are such things like quality, experience and someone playing regularly for his club, I will be on the plane to South Africa,” declared the former youth international skipper, who was picked for the 2002 World Cup.

“I have been consistent with my club, featuring in 23 matches and scoring three goals as a central defender. This was the same consistency I showed for several years when I was in France with Sochaux.

“There are some who will question the quality of the Austrian league, but I can tell you that season after season, the championship here has been improved. In this year’s Europa league, Austria paraded as many as four clubs including my club, who won their first six before we exited the competition to my former team Standard Liege of Belgium.”

Afolabi continued: “The new coach needs experienced players, who can take in his tactics quickly because he does not have much time before the World Cup. In that case, it would be wrong for any one to say that he should go with only young players to South Africa. He needs to have a good mix of experienced and young players for the World Cup.”

The 29-year-old central defender, made his full international debut in 2000 and last played for Nigeria two years ago. He commanded a regular place in Berti Vogts team, pairing Danny Shittu in the heart of the back four.