WORLD CUP 2018
TIJANI WARNS EAGLES AGAINST COMPLACENCY VS ICELAND
Ex Nigerain Super Eaglesâ wing man, Tijani Babangida has warned the Super Eagles that they cannot afford to get complacent as they seek to qualify for the World Cup Round of 16.
Gernot Rohrâs men made a dreadful start in Russia after losing 2-0 to Croatia in Kaliningrad â and must beat Iceland and Argentina to stir their hopes of progressing.
For the debutants who forced pre-tournament favourites, Argentina to a 1-1 draw, a win over the three-time African kings would put them one leg in the knockout round.
And the 44-year-old wants the Eagles to concentrate on Fridayâs clash against Heimir Hallgrimssonâs side rather than think of their tie with La Albiceleste.
âI think Iceland can be even more difficult than Argentina,â Babangida told Goal.
âWe made that mistake in 1998 when we played against Denmark. They knocked us out, while we were already thinking about Brazil.
âWe need to be focused when we play against Argentina â when you lose concentration against Messi for only one moment, it can be fatal.â
Even in the face of an impending exit from the championship, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist feels Rohrâs lads have the wherewithal to make the last eight.
âThere is so much potential. I think we have a chance of surviving the group stage, but it is hard to predict after what Iâve seen.
âI think Nigeria can reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup. That is also the goal of the Federation. But they are still building, so the next round would be good as well.â
Nigeriaâs game against Iceland come up on Friday at Volgograd Arena, Volgograd â a day after Croatiaâs crunch tie with Argentina in Nizhny Novgorod.
GOAL.COM