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Nigeria’s Super Eagles and World Cup draws: We have not always been that lucky

Will Nigeria escape the Group of Death this time?

Many Nigerians have argued that it is usually intentional, and attempt to curtail the progress of the Super Eagles. In all of the five editions of the World, Cup Nigeria has participated in, the team has also been drawn in a  difficult group – the group of Death.

Taking this into consideration, this is how the Super Eagles have been drawn in the last six World Cup participation.

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This year was the first time Nigeria will be going to the World Cup, hence the team was adjudged a greenhorn. However, the edition turned out to the best World Cup outing for Nigeria.

Nigeria was placed in Group D of the tournament, and alongside Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece.

The Super Eagles were beaten at the Second Round by a more experienced Italian team.

France 1998 - Second time in the Mundial, but not as fantastic as the first.

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With the Nation just coming out from bans on participating in international sporting events, Nigeria was also placed in the group D of the France 1998 World Cup.

The group had Spain, Bulgaria again and Paraguay. Just like the first appurtenance at the World Cup, the Super Eagles could not go beyond the Second Round of the tournament.

A more organized and tactical balanced Denmark defeated the Eagles at knock out stage of the game.

Korea/Japan 2002 – The poorest outing at World Cup

At the tournament, the Super Eagles were placed in Group F alongside Argentina, England and Sweden.

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Nigeria failed to proceed beyond the group stage, after losing first two matches to Argentina and Sweden. It went on to draw the last match with the three lions.

South Africa 2010 - First World Cup on African soil with no impact

This edition of the global event was held in Africa, and it brought the world to the black continent. At the tournament, the Super Eagles were drawn in Group B and also have to contend with Argentina, Greece and South Korea in the same group.

It was at this Mundial that Yakubu Aiyegbeni lost an open goal, and Nigerians have not forgiven him for that mistake.

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The Eagles couldn’t also make it to the knock out stage as well.

Brazil 2014 – It was far better for the Super Eagles

In the last edition of the World Cup which was held in Brazil, the Super Eagles had its place in the Group F alongside Argentina, Bosnia and Iran. It is only at this tournament, Nigeria had a relatively less difficult group.

The Super Eagles got to the knock-out stage of the game and were stopped by Les Blues (The Blues) of France.

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