How Nigeria cannot escape ‘group of death’ in Russia 2018 World Cup

shakirudeen taiwo

November 16, 2017 1:46 PM

The chances of facing at least two good football playing countries at the World Cup is very bright.

FIFA’s 32 countries allocations for the Russia 2018 World Cup has shown the Super Eagles have a slim chance of escaping the infamous ‘group of death’.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been placed in Pot 4 ahead of the draw scheduled to hold on December 1, 2017. Countries in other three Pots show it will be quite hard for Nigeria to peer with some teams that are considered less competitive.

Also Read: Why Nigeria are in Pot 4 for 2018 FIFA World Cup draw

Nigeria will draw one team from each of the following pots, except the African countries in Pot 3 and other nations in Pot 4.

Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

Pot 2: Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia

Pot 3 : Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran

Looking at the situation, the chances of Nigeria not pairing some of the best teams in the world is considered limited. This is because all the teams in Pot 1 are currently in their best form, except the host nation – Russia. However, Nigeria just beat the Argentina team in a friendly match, but the fact remains, the La Albiceleste have beaten the Super Eagles in three previous meetings in the World Cup (1994, 2002 & 2010).

Also Read: How the Super Eagles secured a win against Argentina

A similar conclusion can be made about any nation chosen in the Pot 2, but Peru and Switzerland could be a saving grace for Nigeria.

Iceland, Denmark and Sweden are currently in good playing condition, and thus may maintain this form in the tournament as well.

Going by this, it is sure that Nigeria may get to be grouped with hard teams. This will, thus, limit the country’s chance of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

To many Nigerians and sports lovers, it is a tradition that the Super Eagles will be in the most difficult group at international tournaments including those at the African continental level.

shakirudeen taiwo

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng