Former goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu has stated that the Super Eagles could have a chance against Iceland on Friday in their Russia 2018 World Cup Group D fixture if the Vikings become complacent and feel that they can easily overcome the Nigerians because of their heroics against Argentina last week.
The Eagles were beaten 2-0 by Zlatko Dalic’s men on Saturday at the Kaliningrad Stadium and they must avoid a defeat against Heimir Halilgrimsson led side at the Volgograd Arena in their second game of the ongoing world showpiece to remain in contention for a second round ticket.
Dosu who won a gold medal with the Nigeria U23 team at the Atlanta Georgia Olympics in 1996 disclosed that the Eagles could capitalize on the positive vibes in the Iceland camp whose 1-1 draw against La Albiceleste could make them become overconfident against the Nigerians who are desperate for a lifeline.
We must try to face Iceland with minimal mistakes than we had in the game with Croatia,” Dosu told Goal.
“Iceland played very well against Argentina and they might be carried away with that result and think they can easily come and overrun Nigeria and they could pay for it. We have been ‘injured’ and it might be our opportunity to ‘injure’ them and get the three points with one or two goals scored.
"It is not going to be easy because Iceland also want the three points as we do but it depends on the more serious team. I hope Nigeria will come out victorious.”
The owner of Westerlo Football Academy stressed that it was germane for the Eagles not to lose against the Vikings and that everyone in the team must work towards ensuring that though it might be difficult with their Friday opponents brimming with confidence.
He implored Nigeria’s senior national team to learn from the experience of Egypt and Morocco who have both exited the competition while adding that they could gain solace in the adventure of the Teranga Lions of Senegal who earned Africa’s first victory in Russia against Poland.
“I am not in Russia with the team but I know that the Eagles coaches know what to do. As a patriotic Nigerian, having lost the first game the second game against Iceland is very important for us not to lose.
“We have seen two African countries eliminated already in Morocco and Egypt so I think we should be thinking of a good outing on Friday with Senegal winning their own game to earn Africa her first victory. This has given African nations some hope that maybe one of them will make it to the next round but if we win our game with Iceland even though it is going to tough it could brighten our continent’s chances the better.”
Gernot Rohr’s men are at the bottom of Group D without a point after a game while Croatia who hosts Argentina at the Nizhny Novgorod on Thursday night are first with three points. Jorge Sampaoli’s men and Iceland are joint-second with a point each.