Russia 2018: Assistant coach says hard work key to progress to second round

Salisu Yusuf, the Super Eagles Assistant Coach, on Thursday said it was only hard work that would see the team through to the knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Yusuf told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that this was because no team in the Eagles’ first round group at Russia 2018 was a football minnow.

“Every team in our group (Group D) is in form now, especially Iceland. We should remember they were the fourth team to qualify for Russia 2018 in Europe,” he said.

Yusuf however, while saying he was optimistic of the Super Eagles’ qualification from the group, called for early and serious preparations.

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He said nothing was impossible in football with focus and determination.

“We hope to make it to the semi-finals, if only we can do the needful by preparing well’’.

The coach however said the Super Eagles would use the upcoming Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Morocco to further test some of the players for the World Cup.

“The fact that CHAN is holding from January to February is another opportunity for us to put some of the boys in better shape,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn alongside Argentina,Croatia and Iceland in Group D for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.