Nigeria-Argentina 5th meeting at the world cup a possibility after Eagles port 4 seeding

The Super Eagles qualification to Russia 2018 is the easiest in the country’s football history, ironically in a group of death. With a game to spare Nigeria is one of the 23 countries who had qualified for the most prestigious sports event in the world.

While Nigerians are still celebrating the feat of easy qualification campaign that was without the usual “if and if…then”, a giant task awaits the three-time African champions at the Mundial.

FIFA has announced that its October World Ranking which was published on earlier today will be used to seed all four pots for the draw, a departure from recent tournaments format when only the top eight nations were seeded with other pots grouped by Confederation.

As a result of the ranking, the top 7 teams including the hosts will automatically occupy pot 1.

Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France and the hosts Russia make up the top-seeded teams,

Already qualified Spain, England, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia will occupy pot 2 and will be joined by Italy, Switzerland, Peru if they make it in their playoff games.

Croatia, Denmark, Tunisia, Senegal assuming they qualify will join Costa Rica, Iceland, Egypt, and Iran in pot 3. While Australia and Morocco if they make it will join Nigeria, Serbia, Japan, Panama, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

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With Nigeria in port 4, it means the Super Eagles could be in the same group with a country they have played 4 times out of their last 5 appearances at World Cup.

Nigeria lost 2-1, 1-0, 1-0, 3-2 to Argentina in 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 the only time the Super Eagles didn’t play the Albiceleste was in 1998. Another encounter with The White and Sky Blue is almost inevitable as we await the December 1st World Cup draw.

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Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

Pot 2: Spain, Peru*, Switzerland*, England, Colombia, Italy*, Mexico, Uruguay

Pot 3: Croatia*, Denmark*, Costa Rica, Iceland, Tunisia*, Egypt, Senegal*, Iran

Pot 4: Serbia, Nigeria, Australia*, Japan, Morocco*, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

*Denotes team yet to secure qualification

Going by the seeding above Nigeria in pot 4 could be drawn in the same group as longterm nemesis Argentina, Spain, and Iceland.

Regardless of the countries that will be in Nigeria’s group, with proper preparation and right squad selection, Eagles will soar high.