As Russia hosts 2018 Mundial

The 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup Finals kicks off in Russia today. For the next one month, the entire world will be treated to football at its very best across the eight centres where the 32 participating nations are expected to serve out 64 matches in their quest for the most coveted soccer diadem.
The race to Russia began about two years ago across five confederations. At the end of the qualifying hostilities, the following teams emerged for the final showdown, armed with their FIFA rankings: CAF – Tunisia (21), Senegal (27), Morocco (41), Egypt (45) and Nigeria (48).
AFC – Australia (36), Iran (37), Japan (61) and Saudi Arabia (67).
CONCACAF – Mexico (13), Costa Rica (23) and Panama (55).
CONMEBOL – Brazil (2), Argentina (5), Peru (11), Uruguay (14) and Colombia (16).
UEFA – Germany (1), Belgium (3), Portugal (4), Switzerland (6), France (7), Poland (8), Spain (10), England and Denmark (12), Croatia (20), Iceland (22), Sweden (24), Serbia (34) and Russia (70).
The European nations have dominated the world stage since the inception of the Mundial in 1930 in Uruguay, clinching the diadem 11 times, while South American countries (CONMEBOL) have recorded nine victories. Germany, the defending champions, and Italy are the two most successful nations in Europe with four victories to their credit each, while England, France and Spain have each won the trophy.
Brazil are the most victorious nation from CONMEBOL, winning it a record five times. Argentina and Uruguay have each clinched the trophy twice.
From the CAF zone, the most impressive nations at the Mundial have been Cameroon, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Ghana and Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are making their sixth appearance at the global stage. In their maiden appearance at the Mundial at the USA ’94, Nigeria, armed with the ’94 Africa Cup of Nations victory, took the entire soccer world by storm. Ranked fifth in the world, the Super Eagles made mincemeat of their first opponents, Bulgaria 3 – 0 at the group stage, lost 1 – 2 to their perennial foes, Argentina, before overpowering Greece also by 3 – 0 to advance to the second round where they faced Italy. The Eagles drew the first blood before the Azzurris equalized and went on to eliminate the debutants by 2 – 1. Despite the painful exit, the soccer world hailed the Super Eagles as arguably the best team ever to come out of Africa.
The Super Eagles also exited the tournament in the second round at France ’98 but lost out at the group stage at the Japan/Korea 2002. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 Finals hosted by Germany.
At the South Africa 2010, the Eagles returned to the world stage and made a dismal appearance, bowing out in the group stage. However, at their last outing held in Brazil, Nigeria advanced to the round of 16 before bowing out.
The road to Russia was not a stroll in the park but the Super Eagles became the first nation on the African Continent to qualify for the showpiece in their group. Under the watch of their foreign technical adviser, Gernot Rohr, they overpowered their common foes, the Chipolopolo of Zambia on their own soil by 2 -1, hit Algeria 3 – 1 in the first leg, shocked Cameroon 4 – 0 at Uyo, drew 1 – 1 in Yaounde and crowned their qualification with a 1 – 0 triumph over Zambia in the return leg. A 1 – 1 draw with Algeria became an icing on the cake in faraway Algiers.
After securing the Russia ticket, the Super Eagles tested their preparedness for the task ahead in a series of friendly international matches, playing five matches. They beat Poland 1 – 0, lost 0 – 2 to Serbia, drew 1 – 1 with Congo DR, bowed 1 – 2 to England and caped their poor run with a 1 – 0 defeat to the Czech Republic.
The Super Eagles are a bunch of young players fused into a couple of older legs like skipper John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa, Elderson Echiejile and Ogenyi Onazi. They will serve millions of Nigerian fans with the taste of what is in store for them in Russia when they file out against Croatia in their opening match on Saturday. Others in their group are their perpetual arch-World Cup foes, Argentina, and the Icelanders, who, like the Super Eagles at the USA ’94, are making their debut at the global stage.
Nigeria qualified for Russia 2018 in a grand style. However, back home, the fans await their opening match against Croatia with cautious optimism, given their unimpressive outings in their warm-up matches. It is hoped that the Nigerian squad will put the right foot forward on Saturday as a booster for qualifying from their dicey group.
Blueprint joins the Nigerian football family in wishing our soccer ambassadors a howling success at the Mundial.