Nigeria
Nigeria’s “underdog” football squad need to play together and not as individuals, captain John Mikel Obi said, with the team acknowledging they face a tough group stage at the World Cup in Russia next month.
“We have to make sure we play together as a team which is the most important thing; no individual players,” Obi told a media conference on Friday.
“No need to think that we are favourites, we’re still underdogs, so we have to go as underdogs in this World Cup and hopefully we can get good results,” he said.
Nigeria coach says team has ‘enough experience’
Nigeria, known as the Super Eagles, are ranked 47th by FIFA and face Argentina, ranked fifth, Croatia (18) and Iceland (22) in Group D.
“We have a very tough group,” said Nigeria’s coach, Gernot Rohr.
“It will be a surprise to come out of this group for a lot of people but perhaps not for me because I believe in my team and I think that my team, even though it’s young, has enough experience.”
Nigeria Vs Argentina: Will the Super Eagles finally overcome a familiar foe?
Obi added: “We want to do well, we want to do better than ever, we want to go one step further.”
Nigeria were held to a [1-1 draw by against Democratic Republic of Congo](
The Super Eagles also have friendly matches lined up against Poland, Serbia and England.
01:57
All-Africa Games: Mauritius dominates cycling as Egypt collects 91 gold medals
01:20
Algeria: Riyad Mahrez will not play in FIFA series friendly matches
01:01
16 soldiers killed in southern Nigeria during fighting between communities
Go to video
Otto Addo to become Ghana’s new head coach
01:02
Pics of the day: March 12, 2024
Go to video
Man United: Ratcliffe has already cost nearly $44 billion