Super Eagles A Threat To Any Side But Must Stamp Out Inconsistency, Says Newson

Reviewing the 2018 World Cup draw that pitted Nigeria in Group D along with one of the pre-tournament favorites Argentina as well as Croatia and Iceland, Adam Newson of Football Whispers says the Super Eagles must be consistent to qualify for the last sixteen.

The three-time African champions advanced to the last sixteen of the World Cup as group winners in 1994 and 1998 and finished runners-up in Group F in the last edition in Brazil.

''Nigeria, too, have talent in their ranks and faced a Messi-less Argentina in a recent friendly in Russia,'' Newson told The Sun.

''It proved that when everything clicks, the Super Eagles, despite sitting 50th in the Fifa rankings, can be a threat to any side.''

He continued : ''If Argentina under-perform there is a very real possibility they make an early exit.

''But the belief is that Sampaoli will be able to devise a tactical structure that gets the best out of his talented players by the time they arrive in Russia.

''It’s tough to call but Croatia’s tournament know-how could prove too much for Iceland, while Nigeria will need to stamp out the inconsistency which has seen them lose to Benin and South Africa in this year.''

Nigeria will begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 16 before facing Iceland (June 22) and Argentina (June 26).

Igho Kingsley