Nigeria caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf has admitted the country has been pitched in the “Group of Death” for the qualifying tournament for the 2018 World Cup, but the Super Eagles must work hard and remain positive so as to qualify for Russia 2018.
The Eagles are drawn in the toughest qualifying group along with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
“This is most certainly the ‘Group of Death’ by any standards – Algeria are the No 1 team in Africa and we have never had it easy with Cameroon. But we just have to prepare early, work hard and be positive we will qualify for the World Cup,” Yusuf said.
“No matter which group we would have found ourselves, it would not have been a stroll for us to Russia 2018.
“We need to respect our opponents, but not show too much respect and with the right conviction and motivation, we will be at the World Cup.”
The 2018 World Cup qualifying series will begin in October.