Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel, is optimistic when it comes to Nigeria’s hope of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 30-year-old said that Nigeria are already four points clear of second-placed Cameroon and five ahead of Zambia and Algeria.
Mikel is upbeat about their prospects of topping the table and claiming the section’s sole spot at Russia 2018.
Although Africa’s third round of qualifying only reaches its halfway point at the end of this month and beginning of September, the former Chelsea midfielder believes a place at the global finals is within their grasp.
“We are in a very good position in our group,” the Tianjin Teda midfielder told FIFA.com.
“We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home. We have a very good young team and the players play good football.
“If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through,” He added.
Mikel said the pressure to qualify is intense, stating “My wife is Russian,” he said, “and many of our relatives and friends are from Russia.
He continued, “They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them,” he added, laughing.
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