Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup Qualification Fixtures

On friday, the  2018 World Cup qualification draws held and it has pit Nigeria against former African champions Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

The Super Eagles will begin the final journey to Russia with an away match against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, according to the fixtures released by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

After opening with the 2012 African champions on 3 October, when Algeria also host Cameroon, the Super Eagles have two back-to-back home games: first, they welcome Algeria on 7 November before hosting Cameroon on 28 August, 2017 on matchdays 2 and 3.

The Indomitable Lions host Zambia on matchday 2, while Algeria travel to Zambia on matchday 3.

The Super Eagles are guests of Cameroon on matchday 4 on 2 September, 2017, with Algeria also hosting Zambia on the same day.

Nigeria’s final two games are at home to Zambia on 2 October, 2017, then away to Algeria on 6 November, 2017.

Cameroon host Algeria on matchday 5, with Zambia welcoming Cameroon on matchday 6.

Good news for Nigerian fans is that the Eagles picked their first-ever World Cup ticket with a draw in Algeria in 1993.

After the round-robin games, the leaders of each of the five groups will claim the sole ticket for the fiesta in Russia.

Meanwhile, Nigeria legend Christian Chukwu has stated that the Super Eagles are in a good position to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

The former captain and coach of the national team has called for early preparations and immediate appointment of a substantive handler to put the country in good stead for the sole ticket in the group.

“Why not? We stand a very big chance to qualify likewise others but all depends on our level of preparations. If we prepare very well, we have a very young team that can qualify us from the group,” Chukwu told Goal. 

Chukwu, who led Nigeria to bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations event called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to first appoint a permanent coach for the team.

“First, before the end of the month, the NFF should announce a permanent coach who starts business immediately,” he continued.

“And we must pick our best legs for the qualifying series and not try to experiment with players. If we get our acts right, I see us qualifying for Russia 2018.”