Eagles face toughest World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria will face by far their toughest qualifying campaign for the World Cup after they were dropped by FIFA to Pot 3 of the seedings for Friday’s draw in Egypt.
The Super Eagles, who are aiming for a third straight World Cup qualification, were previously in Pot 2.
It now means they could again draw their nemesis in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers Egypt, who are now promoted to Pot 1, as well as the likes of Tunisia or Cameroon, who are now in Pot 2.
Now in Pot 3, Nigeria will avoid Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Mali and South Africa, who are also seeded there.
FIFA have adjusted the seedings after complaints from several of the qualifiers led by Egypt.
The draw on Friday will be staged by 4pm Nigerian time.
Meanwhile, Nigeria could cap Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom and Hull City defender Moses Odubajo as early as in September ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers the following month, a top official has hinted.
Both players have represented England at age-group levels, but they are eligible to play for Nigeria at full international level now.
Nigeria will play a final qualifier for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on September 4 at home against Tanzania and that could be when both players will get their call-ups.
The NFF earlier this year got Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria, and is set to do the same with Odubajo and Akpom.
