Manchester United Coach Mourinho: Nigeria Will Qualify From Group D, Face France Last 16

Published: June 06, 2018

The iconic coach of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho, has predicted that Nigeria will qualify from their tough group at the 2018 World Cup, but will place second behind Lionel Messi's Argentina.

The legendary Portuguese gaffer also expressed confidence that France and Australia will make it to the last sixteen, with the 1998 world champions topping the group.

''In group D the first place will be taken by the kid (forward of Argentina's national team Lionel Messi,ed ). Second place ... Very difficult choice, but I put on the African team - Nigeria,'' Mourinho told Russia Television network RT.

If Mourinho's predictions come true, it would be the second consecutive tournament that the Super Eagles would face France in the second round.

Paul Pogba's 79th minute strike and a Joseph Yobo own goal in injury time condemned the Super Eagles to defeat in Brazil 2014.

Including the last edition, Nigeria have progressed to the second round in three tournaments, losing to European nations on each occasion.

They will face Czech Republic in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Wednesday afternoon.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel