Nigeria is going into its second match Friday (today) against Iceland at the World Cup in Russia with zero points. Iceland has one point from its draw with Argentina. Those who think it is still early in the tournament to worry about points should know that two of Africa’s representatives in Russia – Egypt and Morocco – have virtually been eliminated from the World Cup, after losing their first two matches each. A team needs to have a draw after two matches to nurse any hope of progressing to Round 2.
Nigeria faces the prospect of an early exit if it loses today because it fell 2-0 to Croatia last Saturday. Playing against Iceland is a major challenge for Nigeria because Iceland is certainly wallowing in superiority complex after sharing points with two-time world champion, Argentina, in their first group match. Its 1-1 draw against Lionel Messi’s team was achieved through resilient play.
Though this current crop of Nigeria’s Super Eagles is the youngest in the World Cup with an average age of just below 26, but Nigerian soccer-loving millions expect favourable result. Since its World Cup debut in 1994, the team has yet to progress beyond the round of 16, including four years ago in Brazil when Nigeria lost 2-0 to France at that stage.
“We have to win against Iceland,” Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr, says. He conceded that his young team made mistakes against Croatia, notably on corner kicks and assured that his boys will have to address the situation before the Iceland match.
While Rohr mulls changing his formation, Iceland has shown that it is flexible too, often going to a five-man midfield and a lone striker, a formation that allows the team to counterattack more swiftly. But the dice is cast. The picture will unfold after the duel today.
Surprises will continue to emerge. After Mexico, generally regarded as under-performers, stunned the defending champion, Germany, anything can happen in Russia.
