World Cup: Super Eagles Have No Option Than to Perform... Brian Idowu

By Niyi Busari Russian-Nigerian professional football player, Brian Oladapo Idowu has said that his family in Russia have started mounted pressure on him and Super Eagles to do well at the world cup. The Super Eagles and FC Amkar Perm left back reiterated that it is important for Super Eagles to do well and believe that the youthfulness and coordination of the team will go a long way in their successful outing at the mundial. "There has been pressure from my family for us to come to Russia and do well. So, we have no option than to perform beyond expectation. I believe the youthfulness in the team will be an added advantage for us. As people can see in our previous games, we are energetic with many quick players in the squad." He further spoke on the mix of experienced players with the young ones. "We have a very good mix of young with little bit of experience and some experience players in the team. And we are happy together, togetherness is what is going to see us through." The Super Eagles are ranked 47 th by FIFA and face Argentina , ranked fifth, Croatia ( 18 ) and Iceland ( 22 ) in Group D in the tournament in Russia. The team ’s best efforts have included reaching the round of 16 three times , in 1994 , 1998 and the previous World Cup in Brazil in 2014 . This year’s squad has acknowledged they are “underdogs", who need to play not as individuals , but together to take on a tough group , including Argentina and their talisman , Lionel Messi.