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Nwankwo Kanu: The Eagles captain and most celebrated player in the fold was indeed a big

brother in Angola. While the other players were unsure of the team's future in the championship, the Portsmouth forward remained calm in the Sherra da Chela hotel lobby in Lubango, going through his mails on his Apple laptop before the match against Mozambique. Kanu is held in high esteem by other players and he was often seen holding brief discussions with others. He sometimes displayed his influence in the camp by speaking for the camp assistants who needed the players' help.

"Each time you guys buy a recharge card, give this guy more than the card value for his service," he once told some players who had bought recharge cards from a vendor within the camp.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni: With the absence of assistant captain, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu acted as the team captain after Kanu was dropped against Mozambique and Zambia. It was an occasion that he exploited, with foreign journalists trooping into the team's camp to have interviews with the Everton striker. He hardly had time of his own as he became the focus of even the hotel staff who wanted to satisfy him as the Nigerian captain. During training sessions, Yakubu tried to exert his position, but it was obvious that it was a burden to him. He sometimes softened the rigidity in camp by cracking jokes and whistling when sitting alone.

Seyi Olofinjana: Seyi refused to accept that he is one of the oldest members of the squad by saying all players were equal in the camp. When he was not alone, the tall Hull City midfielder would sit with Aiyegbeni, Kanu, Osaze Odemwingie and coach Shaibu Amodu. Despite not being played until the third-place match, he was in the forefront of major discussions and his fluent English also endeared him to foreign journalists. Seyi read a lot and when asked why his books were so important in a Nations Cup camp, he said he divide his time between football and study. "At my leisure, I only read because I am preparing for my master's examination in Chemical Engineering."

Osaze Odemwingie: The Lokomotiv Moscow player was the star of the team on and off the pitch. In the camp, he was the link between the old and young. He was also interested more in working on his computer than granting endless interviews.

Chinedu Obasi: Only God knows how many mails he received in a day. Always working with his laptop and, surprisingly, the Hoffenheim Germany types at great speed. He is always reluctant to grant interviews and when he did, he spoke softly, almost inaudibly. Mikel Obi was his regular partner whenever he decided to loosen up.

Taye Taiwo: Hardly seen downstairs at the hotels in Lubango and Benguela. He seemed moody at all times, probably thinking of how he would regain his position in the team, which was taken by youngster, Elderson Echiejile.

Elderson Echiejile: The youngest player in the squad and perhaps because of his regular place in the team he looked pleasant at all time, savouring the limelight. The Rennes of France defender confessed that he almost returned home from France in his first month in the country because of a language barrier. But in the camp, he spoke French freely with some other players. He never sat alone as he was always see with Onyekachi Apam and Obasi.

Yusuf Mohammed: The Sion of Switzerland likes speaking in his mother tongue, which made former Kano Pillars midfielder, Sani Kaita, his best pal in the camp.

Kalu Uche: It is only the Almeria FC of Spain player that can explain why he withdrew to himself in the camp. He talked so little and only waved when greeted by teammates. After each meal, Uche went to his room and hardly responded to questions at the mixed zone. He however had a good time with a few Cameroun players who also play in Spain. With them, he spoke fluent Spanish and shared jokes.

Dickson Etuhu: Daniel Shittu's best friend in the camp. Always receiving phone calls and covering his face with a cap.

Obafemi Martins: Martins spent fewer days with the team in camp than his mates because of the court case he had to attend to in England. He rarely joined the rest at the hotel lobby and had little time for off- the-field discussions with the people.

Daniel Shittu: While journalists would have loved to hear from the defender why he did not force his exit from Bolton, where he is not a regular player, Shittu appeared in no need of sympathy. He lived his life in the camp the way he felt and got on well with the other players.

Mikel Obi: Mikel has a large heart on the pitch but in the camp, he was too cautious and appeared to be timid. The best time to see him in a jovial mood was only when he shared old memories of Lyn of Oslo with Obasi, with whom he played at the club.

Vincent Enyeama: There was a general feeling that the goalkeeper spent his time with the other two goalkeepers in the camp. He was always upstairs, just like the other keepers, and after every training session, he shared his time with the goalkeepers before departing for the hotel.

Chidi Odiah: He looked excited to be back in the team and was always with Kanu and the captain's younger brother, Ogbonnaya, who received most of the Portsmouth star's phone calls.

Joseph Yobo: Despite being injured and missing four matches, the Everton defender did not forget his duty as the team's assistant captain. After his return from England where he had gone to treat the injury, he declared himself fit for the semifinal clash against Ghana. Although he was not used, he remained restless when Nigeria searched for the equaliser. He became even more prominent in camp matters during the meeting with team officials in Benguela after the team won the bronze medal.

Dele Aiyenugba: The Bnei Yehuda of Israel goalkeeper looked content with the bench role. He spoke more of Enyeama's 'good form' than setting his own agenda.

"He is one of the best in Africa and in Israel, he is the best," he said of Enyeama after being asked about his feeling about not playing in the competition.

Onyekachi Apam: A good-humoured person off the pitch, known for his preference for hanging his trousers below the waist and speaking freely to teammates.