Super Eagles must avoid defeat against Croatia — Lumumba

A former NFF presidential candidate, Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh has charged the Super Eagles to avoid defeat in their opening match of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The three-time African Champions will kick-start their campaign on Saturday against Croatia in Group D at the Kaliningrad stadium in Kaliningrad.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Lumumba said going by their preparatory matches, the Super Eagles didn’t inspire much confidence but they must do everything possible to avoid defeat in their first match of the 2018 World Cup.

He said in as much as the team did not do well in the friendly matches, he believes the coaches took note of the lapses in the team and would address them before the team’s opening match.

“We all watched their warm-up matches and in all honesty, they didn’t inspire any confidence.

“However, I am sure that just as Nigerians saw the lapses in the team, the coaches too must have seen them.

“If they would work on the mistakes and correct them in time, the Eagles might be able to spring surprises.

“They must therefore avoid defeat in their opening match against Croatia. They have to get at least a draw, if they are to keep hope alive,” he advised.

Lumumba reiterated that the Eagles must be ready to step up their performance, if they are to progress from the group that comprises of Argentina, Croatia and debutants, Iceland.