First match crucial to Eagles’ progression, say football enthusiasts
Super Eagles
By Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, June 12, 2018 (NAN) A cross-section of Nigerians have expressed hope that the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, would progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday at the popular Banex Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja noted that winning their first match would boost their morale.
“For me, if we win our first match against Croatia, we stand a good chance of qualifying for the second round,” said Edoh Michael, a hair stylist and die-hard Eagles supporter.
NAN reports that Nigeria is in Group D, alongside arch-rivals Argentina, newcomers Iceland and 1998 World Cup bronze winners Croatia.
One of Michael’s customers, who identified herself simply as Rose, supported his opinion, saying four points might be enough to qualify from the tough group.
“If Argentina picks maximum points, then a win and a draw could be good enough to send the second team through to the second round,” Rose said.
Two teams are expected to progress from the group stage from each of the eight groups.
On his part, Femi Alo, a software service provider, hoped that the Eagles would “get something” from the match against Croatia, even if it is a draw.
He argued that being the first match; both teams could be nervous and cagy, thereby being cautious.
“It will be nice to win the first match but at least even if we can get a draw, it won’ be bad. My own is that we should get something from the match as against a loss,” said Alo.
He, however, warned that the Super Eagles should be mindful of the calibre of players paraded by Croatia and approach the game with a good plan.
“They have big names such as Modric, Perisic, Rakitic, Mandzukic and Kovacic.
“We need to be careful and approach the game with caution. People are talking about Argentina but Croatia presents their own threat,” he advised.
Other respondents who spoke with NAN were optimistic about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stage.
Many also appealed to fellow Nigerians and Eagles’ fans not to be discouraged by the dismal results recorded by the team during their pre-World Cup warm-up matches.
“We should not judge the team by friendly matches,” Ayanacho Chidi, a phone vendor, advised.
“Maybe they didn’t want to get injured or don’t want eyes to be on them,” he added.
NAN reports that the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks-off on Thursday, with the host nation taking on Saudi Arabia, who are the lowest-ranked team in the 32-nation tournament.
The Super Eagles would lock horns with Croatia on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium on the Oktyabrsky Island, a must win match for Nigeria.
In the buildup to the World Cup, Nigeria won two out of six build up matches against Argentina and Poland, but lost to Serbia, England and Czech Republic.
Nigeria also recorded a draw 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on May 28. (NAN)
KIA/ERO/SA
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko
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