Former Nigeria internationals, Tijani Babangida, Joseph Dosu and Garba Lawal have given their thoughts on the Super Eagles Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, Completesports.com reports.
On Tuesday, the draw for next World Cup was made with the Eagles drawn in Group C alongside Cape Verde, Liberia and Central Africa Republic.
The 14 winners from the First Round joined Africa’s top-ranked 26 sides in the draw.
The 40 teams were split into 10 groups of four for the second qualifying round.
The 10 winners of the groups will be drawn against each other in home and away fixtures, with the five victors advancing to Qatar 2022.
Speaking with Completesports.com, Babangida who was at the France 1998 World Cup, expressed confidence the Eagles should go through to the qualifying play-offs.
“It is a very good starter for the Super Eagles,” the former Ajax winger and Atlanta 1996 gold medal winner said.
“Looking at the other teams I think Cape Verde are not a bad side, we all saw their emergence especially at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
“But having said that, the Eagles can grow in the qualifiers because we have a young and strong team. So hopefully by the time they’ve progressed from this stage, they will be well prepared to face any team in the final qualifier.
“So I am tipping the Super Eagles to go through from this group.”
Dosu, who was in goal in the Eagles’ opening two games against Burkina Faso and Kenya during the 1998 World Cup qualifier said: “We prayed for luck and this time luck shined upon us,” he told Completesports.com.
“Unlike the last World Cup qualifier where we were in a very tough group, this time around we are in a very favourable group.
“We will surely qualify especially with the kind of players we have now. They are doing well in their various clubs.
“We have players who are ready to give everything in the green and white jersey because no body wants to lose his position due to the competition in the team now.
“I believe we are good to go through from the group,” the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medal winner said.
However, Lawal, a two-time FIFA World Cup star in 1998 and 2002, called for caution, but said the Eagles are good enough to qualify.
He told Completesports.com: “As we all know there are no easy games in football especially here in Africa. Every game is very important.
“And playing against the Super Eagles, other teams always want to give their best which makes it tough.
“But there is no cause for alarm, I believe we have what it takes to qualify. And based on the players we currently have, going through shouldn’t be a problem but they must not underrate other teams.”
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
l don’t want to hear from Odagbemi who was advocating the sacking of our able coach whom he wishes to replace him with a novice jobless individual.
Leave that confused man.He has succeeded in dragging his erstwhile overhyped achievement to the murkier terrain. I actually thought he was sound but he just proved to be a progeny of cluelessness and blind adventurism. He is the miyetti alah of naija football. Nonsense
one day will be inbw d sticks to represent my dear country Nigeria..pls if dey is any agent that’s ready to work with me n revive my professional career as goalkeeper..contact [email protected]