It’s just 2 years before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. And with the qualifiers table out already, most sport pundits do have the opportunity to analyze each country and what their prospective outcomes will be like. And so with Nigeria coming in Group C, alongside Cape Verde, Central Africa, and Liberia, a lot of brows have been raised, with questions flowing here and there as to the chance of Nigeria qualifying in this group.
So today, we are going to first analyze Nigeria’s expected squad list for the 2020 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and then look at their past meeting histories with the teams placed in this group. So, let’s get on with it!
NIGERIAN FULL SQUAD FOR THE FIFA 2022 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS IN QATAR
Following the recent squad used by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in the AFCON qualifiers in November 2019, here is the expected list of players to be used in the 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP qualifiers
GK Francis Uzoho
DF Brian Idowu
DF Tyronne Ebuehi
DF Leon Balogun
DF Ikouwem Udo
DF Valentine Ozornwafor
MF Peter Etebo
MF Anderson Esiti
MF Viv Solomon-Otabor
MF Henry Onyekuru
MF John Obi Mikel (Captain)
MF John Ogu
FW Peter Olayinka
FW Kelechi Ịheanacho
FW Josh Maja
FW Odion Ighalo
FW Ndifreke Udo
FW David Okereke
LAST MEETINGS
Nigeria Vs Cape Verde
Although Nigeria has had a good history of mostly defeating Cape Verde, the last meeting of this two countries was at the 2019 West Africa Football Union (Wafu) Cup of Nations Cup, where Nigeria, after a 1-1 tie at 120mins, lost 3-2 to Cape Verde on penalties, in the quarterfinals. So, if the Super Eagles aren’t extra careful with these players the next time they meet in the 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP qualifiers, it might as well end in a draw for them, and trust me, that would do them no go in the group.
Nigeria Vs Central Africa
Although there hasn’t been any highly competitive game between these two countries, at least not that we can remember of, with the caliber of players and experience we have in the Nigerian squad in likes of Mikel Obi, Iheanacho and so on, who are currently playing in international clubs, there is every chance that this game is going to be a sure 3 points for Nigeria. It’s that simple, we have the experience, they don’t have.
Nigeria Vs Liberia
Even though the last meeting between Super Eagles and Liberia ina friendly game ended 2-1 in victory for the Super Eagles, , recently, we know how unstable our outcomes has been in recent years with Liberia. So, I think we need to be careful with them.
Verdict
So, from my analysis, if Nigeria should win Cape Verde and Central Africa home and away, or at least win the first leg and draw the second, we can be satisfied with whatever result comes from the match with Liberia. In other words, the chances of Super Eagles qualifying from this group is high.
