With Egypt and Morocco failing to register wins in their opening Fifa World Cup matches, the spotlight from the African perspective will be on Nigeria. The Super Eagles open their Group D campaign on Saturday with a difficult game against Croatia in Kaliningrad.
They are in a tough group which includes two time champions, Argentina and Iceland. Central, in downtown Port Elizabeth is home to a large Nigerian community. Nigeria was the first African country to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
The Super Eagles supporters believe the team is capable of reaching the second round for the first time since 1994. “Nigeria is representing Africa there in Europe. So we Nigerians expect our flag to fly high because we have what it takes to beat any country that we play in Russia,” says an avid supporter.
Nigerians are expected to be outnumbered on the stands as Croatian supporters from around the world have arrived in big numbers in Kallingrad.
A victory over one of the group’s favourites will boost the Super Eagles’ chances of advancing to the next round.
Thabo Daniels
