FIFA World Cup - Super Eagles 2010
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How will the Super Eagles perform in Russia?

In 1994, the Super Eagles announced themselves as a football force when they stunned the world by topping group B which had great teams like Maradona’s Argentina, Greece, and Bulgaria.  

Rashidi Yekini’s goal in the 21st minute for the Super Eagles was enough to ensure the perfect start for the then African Champions.

 

FIFA World Cup - Super Eagles highest goalscorer

Source: True Africa

Goals from Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke completed a Super Eagles three-nil routing of Bulgaria, a European powerhouse back in the day.

Nigeria, however, crashed out of the 94’ World Cup at the round of sixteen stage losing 2-1 to Italy who went to the finals ending up as runners-up to champions, Brazil.

Ever since Nigeria has qualified for five out of six world cups.

 

FIFA World Cup - Super Eagles Midfielder

Source: GQBuzz

The Super Eagles qualified for the 2018 World Cup without losing a single game during the qualifying series and are now in Group D paired with Argentina – a familiar foe, Croatia and World Cup debutant Iceland.

Nigeria will fancy their chances against these opponents and hope to qualify for the next round in Russia 2018 for a chance to showcase their tremendous talent in the many Russian host cities 

The Super Eagles and Croatia will do battle for the first time in a competitive match. While, the Croatians boasts of World class talents such as Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic who will be looking to steady the ship and control the match from the middle with  Mario Mandzukic leading the attack and can hurt with goals. Nigeria has not lost a match to an eastern European team at the Mundial and will be looking to hurt the Croats with their youthful exuberance.

 

FIFA World Cup

Source: Total Croatia News

Next, the Super Eagles will come face to face with the first time World cup attendees; Iceland.

Nigeria and Iceland have only faced one another once before, with the Europeans easing to a 3-0 victory in a friendly in 1981.

The Super Eagles can only boast of the World Cup experience over the men from Iceland who have made a great impression for themselves since announcing their competitive presence at the Euro tournament in 2016 with the notorious ‘Viking clap’,  hard tackling, and compact pressing style of play.

They currently boast of free kick specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson and hard rock captain Aron Gunnarsson among their ranks and will be all out to continue what they started at the Euros two years ago.

 

Euro 2016

Source: Iceland Review

Argentina remains familiar faces and one of  Super Eagles’ worst nightmares having met four times World Cup group action. La Albiceleste has triumphed in all four matches: 2-1 in 1994, 1-0 in 2002, 1-0 in 2010 and 3-2 in 2014.

The Super Eagles will be looking to replicate their friendly match success over a Messi-less side when they came out top winning 3-1 earlier this year.

FIFA World Cup

Source: Daily Post

In all fairness, Nigeria will not be pushovers this year, possessing flair and attackers that can hurt teams with their speed and quick transition from defense to attack. Youthful strength could also be an added advantage to power the steam the team already has.

The Super Eagles might sail through to the next round provided they can salvage a point against South Americans, Argentina and go on to achieve maximum points against their European opponents who they have a generally good record against. Known for causing upsets against European sides in the group stage of their previous World Cup campaigns.

FIFA World Cup - Super Eagles Friendly match

Source: AS English

You can be part of this once in a lifetime event by watching the Super Eagles play live in Russia this June.

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