Super Eagles of Nigeria are in Group D to square with regular opponent, Argentina, a team they trounced 4-2 in a friendly match in September in Russia. Other debutants are Iceland and Croatia, European powerhouse.
While many Nigerians have focused their reaction on the fact that Nigeria has been in the same group with Argentina in five different World Cup draws, this article will take a look from a more prospective angle.
These are the five players from Group D who can cause damage to the Super Eagles.
1. Lionel Messi
Messi was the highest goal scorer in Europe last season. The Barcelona star forward needs no further introduction as he can easily be tagged the tormentor-in-chief of the Super Eagles. Nigeria has not collected any point from a game with Argentina that had Messi on it.
It came with little or no surprise that Nigeria defeated Argentina in their recent friendly where the Barca forward did not feature. Gernot Rohr will have to solve the Messi’s problem, if we are ever going to think of breaking our Argentine jinx.
2. Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero surely knows how to score against Nigeria. Another name the Eagles needs to be wary of is Aguero. If not for anything, but for the sole fact the Argentine hardly endure goal barren spells. He is always in-form and he also scored against the Eagles in their recent friendly. before being pulled out due to health concern. Aguero knows how to score, and he knows how to score against Nigeria, the more reason our ‘Oyibo wall’ should pay attention to him.
3. Ivan Rakitic
The Barcelona star midfielder will be hoping for a decent performance for his country in the World Cup. The Barcelona star midfielder will be hoping to guild his country to a decent World Cup outing, and part of his target will be to ensure his team comes out of Group D.
Rakitic commands a regular starting eleven place in a star studded Barcelona side, that alone shows he is not one that his abilities should ever be doubted.
4. Luka Modrić
‘Captain fantastic’ of the Croatia side will be hoping to at least lead his side past the group stage
Modric needs no much introduction as he is a regular in a world renowned club Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old has won virtually all trophies in club football, ranging from the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup etc.
Modric will be hoping to guild his side to a decent 2018 World Cup outing and top of his to-do list we are pretty sure will be to come out of Group D.
5. Gylfi Sigurðsson
FIFA World Cup debutant will definitely want to prove a point in the soccer fiesta next year.
Iceland might be a debutant nation in the FIFA World Cup, but they are no strangers to World’s football.
The European nation which also doubles as the country with the smallest country ever to feature in the FIFA World Cup announced them to the World scene when they defeated England in EURO 2016 round of 16.
Sigurðsson known for the power blast shots and his bursting free kicks’ ability, is one that can cause any team trouble in his day.
Now the question is, can Sigurðsson inspire Iceland to World Cup glory? Time alone will tell.
Source- NAIJ.com TV
