Veteran Nwankwo Kanu says the failure of Nigeria to reach the last World Cup will help them secure a place at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

"We all know how Nigerians felt watching other African teams steal the show in Germany after we missed out on qualifying," the 32-year-old senior citizen of the Super Eagles squad said.

"Nigeria cannot afford another experience like that and all of us have resolved to do whatever is necessary to reach South Africa. There is a new belief among the players."

The failure of the Super Eagles to reach Germany ranks among the greatest shocks since African qualifiers for the World Cup were introduced almost 50 years ago.

Considered certainties to qualify from a group including Angola, Algeria, Gabon, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, they suffered an early 1-0 loss to Angola in Luanda and were forced to play catch-up. Victory became imperative for Nigeria when the countries clashed again in Abuja, but Angola came from behind to force a 1-1 draw and clinched top place by winning their final fixture in Kigali.

It was a particularly bitter pill for Nigeria to swallow having scored 10 goals against Algeria and Zimbabwe in their last two qualifiers, and having reached the previous three World Cup tournaments. The West Africans were the only country to emerge from the second round of qualifiers for 2010 with a 100 percent record, having defeated South Africa, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea home and away.

Nigeria are back in South Africa this week preparing to tackle the Mambas (Snakes) of Mozambique Sunday in a Maputo showdown that signals the start of the six-round final qualifying phase for both countries.

"This will be a difficult game and we must sacrifice a lot and be at our best to collect maximum points. The players are up for the match, feeling positive, and believe we can win," said Kanu.

"It is a pity a couple of players are injured because we need everyone who can help the team. All the same, we will work together while counting on the support of all Nigerians."

Defensive general Joseph Yobo from Everton has been ruled out by a hamstring injury with his place going to France-based Rabiu Afolabi and striker Chinedu Obasi is another member of the original squad forced to withdraw.

Mozambique have hiked admission prices from two dollars to seven for the game at Machava Stadium, recently fitted with artificial turf, for the second clash between the countries - Nigeria winning the other 10 years ago.