Russia 2018! Profiling Super Eagles Opponent, Croatia

Aside Iceland and Argentina, Super Eagles of Nigeria are drawn alongside Croatia in the coming World Cup and unlike Iceland, Croatia is a well known country having participated in the competition four times in recent years.

Croatia national football team have appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on four occasions (in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2014). They stormed the football world by surprise in the first outing in 1998, placing third after beating star studded Netherlands team thus placing third in the competition. The competition saw the rhetoric rise of former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker. Davor Suker as he won the competition’s golden boot award and came third in World footballer of the year award that same year.

Squad
Led by Real Madrid star midfielder, Luka Modric, the Croatian squad has got notably experienced players plying their trade in the biggest leagues in Europe. Aside Modric, Super Eagles has got a lot more key players to deal with in the likes of Kovacic (Real Madrid midfielder), Madzukic. Perisic of Inter Milan etc. Not just the names, Croatia has continuously established themselves in centre stage of European football, posing constant threats to teams such as England. No wonder they are ranked 18th in FIFA ranking.

Super Eagles of Nigeria will be meeting the Croatians for the first time having no records of past meetings. Super Eagles are known to pull surprises in big matches and we hope that against Croatia will be of no exceptions.

Event details:
NAME: Croatia – Nigeria
DATE: June 16, 2018
TIME: 19:00 UTC
VENUE: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad , Russia

What’s your prediction? Use the comment section below.