Croatia qualified for the world cup 2018 after, they finished 2nd on the points table of qualifiers after Iceland. They got an experienced head coach (Zlatko Dalić) who managed to football clubs from Asia and Europe. After leaving job of (Al-Ain) in 2017, Dalić signed for the new head coach of Croatia. He is hopeful that his side in the world cup, performed better as they did in qualifiers. The retired football player (Ivica Olić) will become assistant manager under (Dalic).
Overview
Group D, which also contains Iceland and Argentina, is arguably this year’s ‘group of death’ and this game is crucial for Croatia and Nigeria’s hopes of progressing.
While Nigeria are the lowest-ranked nation in Group D, Iceland are making their World Cup debut while the Africans have only missed one of the last seven World Cups.
The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014, although their group win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2014 was their first victory since France 98.
Croatia finished third that year, when they made their debut as an independent country, but they have failed to reach the knockout stage since, making group exits in 2002, 2006 and 2014.
Real Madrid playmaker Modric, Barcelona midfielder Rakitic and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic remain key players, while Nigeria have former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi as captain, with Premier League pair Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi also in their squad.
Head to Head
About Croatia
- Croatia have a wealth of riches in midfield, meaning Mateo Kovacic and Milan Badelj will have to settle for a place on the bench.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Croatia‘s last 10 games at the FIFA World Cup
- Croatia have won only one of their last seven World Cup games (drew two, lost four), against Cameroon in 2014 (4-0).
- They have also kept only two clean sheets in their last 11 games.
- Croatia have lost their opening group game in each of their last three World Cups, their last two openers coming against Brazil (2006, 2014).
- The last four World Cup games involving Croatia have produced five red cards (three for Croatia, two for the opponents).
- Ivan Perisic was directly involved in half of Croatia’s goals at the last World Cup (two goals, one assist).
- Zlatko Dalic will be experiencing his first major tournament as manager. Named Croatia boss in October 2017, his team beat Ukraine in the final game of regular qualifying before eliminating Greece in the play-offs.
About Nigeria
- Nigeria look set to pick 19-year-old Francis Uzoho in goal for their World Cup campaign.
- Wilfred Ndidi has overcome injury in time and will be fine to start for the Super Eagles.
- Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa may have to settle for a place on the bench.
- Leon Balogun missed training in the build up and remains a doubt.
- Attacker Odion Ighalo is primed to start for the Super Eagles and to make his World Cup debut in the process. That’s not a bad way to celebrate his birthday, as he will be turning 29 on the day of the match.
- Nigeria have qualified for their sixth World Cup – they have only missed one tournament (2006) since their first participation in 1994.
- No African team has taken part in as many World Cups as Nigeria (six, including 2018).
- Nigeria have won only one of their last 12 games at the World Cup (drew three, lost eight), against Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2014 (1-0).
- Appointed in August 2016, this will be Gernot Rohr’s first World Cup as manager. Nigeria are the fourth African team he has taken charge of after Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso.
- On the opening day of the tournament, Nigeria’s squad had an average age of 25 years and 336 days, the youngest of any team in the competition.
Prediction
- Croatia are favourites to finish in the top two positions in Group D. Zlatko Dalic’s side, however, have only won two of their last five matches.
- Nigeria have prepared poorly for the World Cup, losing both of their warm-up matches. They are winless in four games.
- Croatia should have enough to overcome the Super Eagles and get their World Cup campaign off on the right note.
Probable Line-Up
Squads
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United).
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong and Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor), Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag), Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV), Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC), Leon Balogun (Brighton), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa).
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Joel Obi (Torino, Italy).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone).