Ahead of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers scheduled to begin next month, chief coach of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf has expressed satisfaction with the form of Nigerian players across Europe.
The former interim manager of the Eagles stated that all the country needs to clinch a ticket to the Mundial in Russia is the right selection of players to get the job done, Vanguard writes.
Yusuf, who is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) this week, however, recognises that it won’t be a smooth sail for the Eagles given the quality of opposition, hence a good start against the Chipolopolo of Zambia is needed.
“We know it is going to be very difficult but I think we can scale through. I believe we can beat any team anywhere with the right players. Our players are doing very well in Europe and other places. So I don’t see why we cannot qualify. I am very optimistic about that,” the former Kano Pillars and Enyimba coach said.
The Eagles, under German coach Gernot Rohr, open their qualifiers against the Chipolopolo at the Levy Nwanawasa stadium in Ndola October 9, as they bid to make up for the disappointment of missing out on consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) events.
Drawn in a hellish group alongside former African Champions Algeria, Cameroon and the aforementioned Zambia, there can be no margin for errors in a round-robin contest for the sole qualifying ticket.
Rohr is expected to name the squad later this week, with Arsenal wonderkid Alex Iwobi and Oghenekaro Etebo tipped to return to the side having missed the last clash with Tanzania.
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