Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr expects his team to be drawn in a tough group in today’s 2018 FIFA World Cup draw in Moscow.
Against the wishes of many Nigerians, Rohr would prefer to be drawn against reigning world champions Germany as they have struggled to win against African opposition in recent games at the World Cup.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil Germany played a 2-2 draw against Ghana in the group stage and in the Round of 16, they also needed an extra time goal to defeat Algeria.
“I know Germany very well and sometimes they have difficulties against African teams,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
“Drawing Germany would be very nice but for my mother it would be difficult – because she is for Germany!
“We will have a difficult group because we are in the last pot and we are supposed to have big teams with us. We are realistic, we wait for the draw and afterwards, we will organise our planning and our friendly games.
“We will do our best and it will be a wonderful adventure in any case.”
The Super Eagles are ranked 50th in the world, which is why they are in Pot 4.
“We are now paying the bill for the bad results two years ago,” Rohr added.
“Since I arrived, I think we have moved up 17-18 places so we have a better FIFA ranking now. All the teams in our group will be good because they have a higher level in FIFA.
“The minimum target is to have a good performance and have a good attitude.
“It would be wonderful if we could get out of the group and then from there, we are outsiders – but we are ambitious also. We would like to do very well, win some points and qualify for the last 16.
“They did it in 2014 and lost against France but last time they were in Pot 3 and now we are Pot 4, so it will be more difficult.
“But let’s try. We already made a good surprise in our qualifiers and now we would like to do another surprise.”
