FCA Croatian Coach: Nigeria Are No Longer The African Brazil, Praises Moses But Writes Off Mikel & Iwobi

Croatian coach Boris Pučić, who has close links to Football College Abuja, has provided vital information about the Nigerian national team that might come in handy to Croatian manager Zlatko Dalić ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Pučić revealed that Chelsea's Victor Moses is the only star player on the Nigeria team, and the present squad cannot be compared to the USA 1994 and 1998 teams which paraded the likes of Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha.

''They are not very pleased with the fact that they have drawn Croatia, but who would be. However, they are hoping that Nigeria will win, but I'm just waiting for a day to celebrate, I think we have no reason to be afraid,'' said Pučić to sportske.jutarnji.hr.

''Obi Mikel plays in China, Moses has been injured for some time and has just returned to Chelsea's first team, while others are all in some side-tiers.

''Iheanacho and Musa are in reserve in Leicester, Iwobi for Arsenal plays a bit more, but Nigeria is now the shadow of the national team that they once called 'African Brazil.

''Simply, there is no star player besides Moses in Chelsea and the team is not close to what we remember from the World Cup in the United States or France that played really well.''

Nigeria and Croatia will face off at the Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16, 2018 in both countries Group D opener.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel