By Adeboye Amosu: Super Eagles defender Brian Idowu reckoned the team is in a tough Russia 2018 World Cup group but backs the three-time African champions to scale through the first round hurdle, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
Gernot Rohr’s men have been placed in Group D along with two-time world champions Argentina, France ’98 semi-finalists Croatia and debutants Iceland for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Idowu, who made his debut for Nigeria in the 4-2 international friendly win against Argentina in November, stated that it will be difficult to beat the Albiceleste again especially with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in the squad.
“We got a hard group. Argentina are the top team in the group and they have Lionel Messi who is difficult to play against. He is probably from another planet,” Idowu who plays for Russian club Amkar Perm told m.sovsport.ru.
“But we can beat Croatia and Iceland. It is a powerful group but we can qualify to the next stage.”
The left-back also mentioned the three players he believes will be the key men for the Super Eagles in Russia.
“Obi Mikel is the leader. He won everything with Chelsea and there is also Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi with Leicester City.”
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the Mundial against Croatia on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
Idowu: Messi’s Argentina Tough, But Eagles Can Handle Croatia, Iceland; Mikel, Ndidi Important
