World Cup: Ex-Eagles warn against over-confidence, shoddy preparation

Ex-Nigerian internationals have warned the Super Eagles against underrating their opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles are drawn alongside Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D.

Etim Esin, former Super Eagles striker, said a World Cup clash with Argentina will be tougher than the friendly match where Nigeria emerged victorious.

“Argentina again? Argentina again? That was my scary side. We’ve always been taking on Argentina in most World Cups. Well, I think with the friendly match defeat we gave them in Russia, I think the confidence will be there. But let us not be too over confident because this is the World Cup proper, Esin told TheCable.

“I think apart from Argentina, the smallest country in the world that qualified- Iceland, they shouldn’t be underrated.

“We saw what they did in Europe 2016 championship. So, the group is not an easy group. We need to put our acts together and we are one of the youngest team in the world cup. I believe this ia the stage for them to prove something.”

Ike Shorunmu, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, said: “I think it’s a good draw.

“In our own group, the first game its very very important against Croatia and we need to be very careful about Iceland because they are one of the underdog at this World Cup.

“We need to have it behind our mind that any team that qualified for the world cup is a good team and they are no pushover.

“I think there is the possibility for us to qualify from the group inti the next round.”

Another ex-Eagles goalkeeper who’s now the team’s trainer, Alloy Agu, also spoke in the same vein.

“We have a solid team and with the draws made, what we need to do now is to get back to the drawing board and to look at how we are going to tackle each team in the group,” Agu told TheCable.

Ex Eagles defender Chikelue Ileoyonsi, predicted that Nigeria will make it to the second round.

“The only team that i believe will be difficult for us in the group is Croatia because they have a very tactical team,” Ileoyonsi said.

“Nigeria has gotten to a stage where we are not scared of any country at the world cuo. So, we are praying and hoping for a very solid preparation for the mundial.

Jonathan Akpoborie, a former Super Eagles striker, advised the team to prepare adequately for the mundial.

He said: “The group is not an easy group as most believe. We have to prepare very well.

“We are lucky we are not playing Argentina until the last game. We should not underrate any team like in 1998. But we can qualify from the group.”