Finally, the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup is here. Welcome to our daily updates of the world’s biggest football competition.
Thursday, June 14
The host country, Russia will kick-start the competition by taking on Saudi Arabia by 4:00 pm Nigerian time.
Starting line-up for Russia:
Igor Akinfeev (capt), Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kupetov, Sergey Ignashevich, Iury Gazinsky, Alan Dzagoev, Roman Zobnin, Aleksandr Golovin, Yury Zhirkov, Alexander Samedov, Fedor Smolov
Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov (RUS)
Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Al-Muaiouf, Osama Hawsawi (capt), Omar Hawsawi, Mohammed Al-Burayk, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Salman Al-Faraj, Yahia Al-Shehri, Abdullah Otayf, Taiseer Al-Jassam, Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi
Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi (ESP)
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)
Russia 2018: Full Group Stage Fixtures
FIFA World Cup
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The 21st #WorldCup kicks off in the magnificent #LuzhnikiStadium only
hours from now…
vs
#RUSKSA
FIFA World Cup✔@FIFAWorldCup
The 2018 FIFA #WorldCup is finally here!
Match #1 | #RUSKSA @TeamRussia @SaudiNT_EN#RUS #KSA
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Not3s being made for my #worldcup biz!!
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2014:Retweet if you see your country. #WorldCup
Nigeria’s Pre-World Cup Matches
On the three occasions, the Super Eagles won their opening matches in the World Cup in 1994, 1998, 2014, and progressed to the Round of 16.
During their preparation ahead of the competition, Nigeria played a series of friendly matches during which they won two, drew one, and lost three.
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Sweet victories over Argentina and Poland were followed by defeat by Serbia, a draw with DR Congo and losses to England and the Czech Republic.
The outcomes of some of the friendly, especially against England and Czech Republic, have become worrisome for Nigerians and other concerned individuals.
Former Eagles Technical Adviser Jo Bonfrere warned the players to avoid playing for individual glory if they must achieve the desired results at the competition.
However, Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, urged Nigerians to pray for the team’s success and continue to support them.
