UNBEATABLE SPORTS ACTION

Youth and Sports Minister Barrister Solomon Dalung has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will qualify from Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Dalung gave the assurance after the draws the Friday draws at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow saw Nigeria housed in Group D with perennial foes Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

The Minister said that if quality friendly games are lined up for the team, the Super Eagles will go beyond the quarter-finals stage.

“I’m confident of Super Eagles’ qualification from Group D. It is not an easy group considering the caliber of teams we have in that group. We met Argentina earlier in a friendly match and beat them but it won’t be that easy at the World Cup so Nigeria will need to beware of Argentina at the competition proper.

“It’s not going to be an easy group to qualify from. However, I am confident that if we prepare our team adequately, we will make a decent appearance in Russia.”

Meanwhile, the NFF President has described the Super Eagles Group D fixtures as decent.

“It’s a decent group. We are good with our group. With prayers and decent preparations, we will surely go through easily,” Pinnick said.

Mr Paul Bassey, the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, said: “It’s a very deceptive and treacherous group.

“We have to accept that we are one of the favourites, but if you look at the group in a more detailed manner, you can see it’s a very difficult one.

“Argentina are naturally favourites, as I’ve always said. They are a great team, with the best player in history (Lionel Messi) and a host of top-level footballers.

“Our other opponents – Croatia and Iceland – are unpredictable sides. With them, you don’t know what you’re going to get and that makes them very dangerous as well,” he said.