Gerard Izuora
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been ranked at number 23 among the 32 teams taking part at this year’s World Cup that will go far, according to British newspaper, The Mirror.
Since making her debut at the 1994 World Cup in USA, the Super Eagles have not gone past the round of 16 on three occasions (USA 1994, France 1998, Brazil 2014).
Super Eagles Group D opponents at the 2018 World Cup, Argentina, Iceland and Croatia were all ranked ahead of the three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners.
Argentina are ranked at number four, Croatia was placed at number 12, while Iceland was one place ahead of the Super Eagles at number 22.
Commenting on the Super Eagles chances in Russia, The Mirror wrote:”The Super Eagles are set to take a young squad to the finals, with captain John Obi Mikel the only guaranteed starter over 30.
“In Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi, they are blessed with plenty of pace and goal threat in attacking areas, but their defence looks weak and the retirement of long-time keeper Vincent Enyeama remains a loss.
“Nevertheless, Gernot Rohr ensured they were the first African side to book their place in Russia, but the draw wasn’t kind to a side who reached the last 16 four years ago.”
In other rankings, reigning champions Germany was the number one ranked team to go very far, in second position is Spain, Brazil are in third position and France in fifth spot.
Mirror’s rankings of 2018 W/Cup teams that will go far:
1 – Germany
2 – Spain
3 – Brazil
4 – Argentina
5 – France
6 – Portugal
7 – Uruguay
8 – Belgium
9 – England
10 – Colombia
11 – Poland
12 – Croatia
13 – Denmark
14 – Egypt
15 – Mexico
16 – Sweden
17 – Senegal
18 – Costa Rica
19 – Peru
20 – Switzerland
21 – Serbia
22 – Iceland
23 – Nigeria
24 – Russia
25 – Morocco
26 – South Korea
27 – Iran
28 – Japan
29 – Tunisia
30 – Australia
31 – Panama
32 – Saudi Arabia