Mikel: Super Eagles goal is to qualify from ‘group of death’

Captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Mikel Obi, says the team’s goal is to qualify to the next round from the “Group of Death” at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Mikel, however, agrees that the group is very tough but sees Nigeria advancing from it to the next round.

“That is the motivation. We have given ourselves the target of coming out of this group just like we did in the African qualifying group that everyone gave the same tag,” Mikel said.

“This group is probably the toughest in the tournament; everyone is calling it the “group of death”. Croatia is a very good team with a lot of top class players and we have to be at our very best against them. It is the dream of every footballer to play at the FIFA World Cup and we have to live that dream on Saturday.

“As our coach has said, we worked hard at both the camp in Austria and since we got to the team base camp in Essentuki. Our Football Federation also did well to get us to prepare in very good places devoid of distraction and now, it is our responsibility to do the nation proud by starting well against Croatia.”

Mikel was part of the Eagles squad that was knocked out in the round of 16 by France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.