Following the 2- 0 loss to Croatia in their opening game of the 2018 World Cup , the Super Eagles have been adjudged as the 29th
best of the 32 teams participating at the World Cup after the first round of games.
British newspaper Daily Telegraph , in an appraisal of all the teams , rated Nigeria as only better than Saudi Arabia which lost the
opening game of the competition 5 -0 to host country Russia and debutants Panama who lost 3- 0 to Belgium.
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Of Nigeria’s performance, the paper wrote ; “ A horrible performance from a group
of players who didn ’t seem to grasp quite how important their opening game at
the World Cup was . Whether the manager ’s fault or those in green shirts, there
was no urgency , no great surge to try and rescue a point, an isolated striker and
full- backs who weren’ t allowed to get forward . Nigeria should be so much better
than this . ”
Spain and Portugal , who played out an enthralling 3 -3 draw came in first and
second while Mexico, which defeated reigning champions Germany were rated
third .
Brazil , who were held by Switzerland and England, late 2 -1 winners over Tunisia
round up the top five in the ratings .
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Nigeria will play their second game on Friday against Iceland at the Volgograd Arena . Only an outright win can keep the Super
Eagles hopes of staying in the competition alive .
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