Any hopes Nigeria had of an easy World Cup 2018 qualifying draw to help get the nation’s football back on its feet were shattered on Friday when the Super Eagles were drawn in an ominous group containing Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
All four sides are former African champions—with a combined nine titles between them—while the three giants have a combined 16 World Cup qualifications between them, a heritage unparalleled by any other group.
The Fennecs and the Indomitable Lions were the top seeded sides in Pot One and Pot Three respectively—therefore representing the toughest possible draws—while Zambia still boast some vestiges of the squad that won the Cup of Nations in 2012 and will at least trouble their rivals for points.
Nigerian football is in the midst of a period of darkness, despite the recent optimism that comes in the form of several wonderkids who have started making their mark in the national side.
The recent deaths of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu sent the nation into collective mourning, while the West African giants have seen their continental standing dented after missing out on the last two Afcons.
The consequence was a spot in Pot Two and the chance—wholly realised—of a testing group stage draw.
Source:
Goal. Com
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