We're in and that's all that matters.

Jeff Stelling, the charming host of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday programme stumbled over his words- a rare occurence- but when he finally got them out, telling viewers that Obafemi Martins (2) and Yakubu Aiyegbeni had scored to send Nigeria through, he became legendary in my eyes.

I missed what was probably Nigeria's biggest game this decade but given how the match played out perhaps it was a good thing for the sake of my heart.

In disbelief I searched for results online, before going on facebook to bask and celebrate with other Nigerians. Amazingly, there were some who were negative. "Going to South Africa to be humiliated" was a running theme.

Excuuuuse me???? I beg to differ! We are not going to be humiliated, we are not Saudi Arabia or New Zealand. We probably won't make too many waves even, but the fact of the matter remains that we actually have a concern with the world cup now. If we had not qualified, then the World Cup would have been no different from the Euros or Copa America. A showcase for international football, but nothing more.

If Egypt make it tomorrow night in their winner-take-all match against Algeria in Sudan, Africa will be sending its most formidable line up to the Cup ever (and South Africa). I have faith that while the African teams might not be in that highest level of a Brazil or Spain, they wíll acquit themselves honourably. Tunisia have managed only 3 points from 9 world cup matches and usually just seem to be happy to be there. If we are to ever increase our representation, it is teams like Nigeria that will do it, as opposed to teams like Tunisia or Angola.

Excitement apart, we really need to get settled because we have enough ability to no just be happy to be there. Many have called for the head of the manager, Shuaibu Amodu. This is disingenuous. Anyone brought in now would not have enough time or matches to know his squad. It would have been nice to play a friendly tomorrow evening but I guess that's expecting too much. The NFF hooked their wagons to the Amodu train and they must stick with it.

Next we need friendlies. Luckily, we have the African Nations Cup. All the African teams should have some significant match time to gel. I'm not contradicting myself here, any new manager will have at most 2 matches before the opening game of the ANC. How will he decide which 23 players to take to Angola.

More questions than answers abound over next Summer, but at least we are there...at least we are in the position to be asking these questions.