Sports : 5 Players The Super Eagles Have To Watch Out For In Our Russia2018 World Cup Group

The Super Eagles have been placed in GroupD at the World Cup draw ceremony held at Moscow’s Kremlin Palace Stadium onFriday, December 1, 2017.

The Nigeria National Team were grouped alongsideSouth-American powerhouses and perennial nemesis, Argentina, as well as Croatiaand Iceland. Most eyes will be on the match between Argentina andNigeria. 



Both sides will have their fifth meeting in World Cup finals history,with the most recent coming in a 3–2 win for the Albiceleste where a MarcosRojo goal proved the difference between the two sides.

With such depth of talent, it’s natural that fans of theEagles will be wary of world-class players like Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi andAngel Di Maria.

However, between Croatia’s new generation and a host ofIceland players hungry to prove something on the World Stage, there are morethreats that we might expect.

Here are 5 players the Super Eagles must watch out for inGroup D of the Russia 2018 World Cup.

1. GylfiSigurdsson:

The Everton attacking midfielder will not be a stranger tomost fans of the Premier League. In his years since joining England’s premierdivision, he has earned a reputation as a set-piece specialist with exceptionallong range ability.



Sigurdsson’s technical ability, as well as his top-levelexperience, have made him the fulcrum of the Iceland side. Sigurdsson was amongthe team’s best players in qualifying, with 4 goals, including a brace againstUkraine and four assists in the process.

His passing and driving runs from the middle of the packwill be instrumental to most of Iceland’s attacks and the Eagles will need tokeep him quiet if they are to get anything from the Iceland game.

2. Luka Modric:

Real Madrid’s midfield maestro is the most successful ofCroatia’s so-called “extraordinary generation”, driving his Europan club sidewith two Champions League trophies since he left Tottenham. He’s 32.



Modric will come to Russia alongside a host of playersincluding Inter Milan’s Perisic who have a final shot at putting up a strongchallenge at the World Cup.

Croatia has a torrid qualifying campaign, losing theirmanager in the process. Modric didn’t perform all too well in qualifying but inRussia, the stakes will be much higher.

3. Nikola Vlasic:

Everton’s 20-year old midfielder has high expectation on himas he heads to his first world cup. He recently joined the English side fromCroatia side, Hadjuk Split after impressing then-manager Ronald Koeman during aEuropa League fixture.



Nigeria’s combative ball winners will need to bepositionally alert as Vlasic’s knack for running at players can pose a problem.

4. Paulo Dybala:

Dybala will go to the World Cup as one of the brightestprospects in a team that has Lionel Messi, Kun Aguero, Di Maria and GonzaloHiguain and Mauro Icardi in attacking positions. The player has been arevelation, delivering on his undoubted potential with Juventus over the lastyear.



Usually playing on the left of an attacking three or somewaybehind the main striker, Dybala’s silky dribbling and direct running and eyefor a goal may pose a problem for Rohr’s counter-attacking style. The Eagles’defence has a job to do on this one.

5. AronGunnarsson

Sigurdsson may be the main threat in front of goal, but whenthe intensity reaches a certain pitch, it usually starts with the IcelandCaptain. The 28-year old who plays for Cardiff City can play either at RightBack or in Midfield where he inspired the team to an unexpected win againstEngland at Euro 2016.



His main problem is associated with the colour red;Gunnarsson’s passion can often lead to getting sent off for low-percentagetackles that hardly come off well. When he’s on the pitch though, he is thesoul of the Iceland side.



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