BY JOE APU

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Former Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi has stated that Nigeria stands a good chance picking the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket ahead of rivals Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
The USA’94 support striker for Nigeria who now coaches in Finland noted that his conviction is based on the excelent performance of the current squad of the Super Eagles under Franco-German technical adviser Gernot Rohr who has so far recorded wins against Zambia in Ndola and Algeria in Uyo.
“I’m glad our team is blessed with a rich blend of players doing well abroad and players of Nigeria descent who are raised abroad.”
He said this is an indication that the call-up to the national team will get more competitive and the national team will be better as it will mean the best of the best will get to make the national team set-up.
Looking at Nigeria’s other opponents in the race to the World Cup, Amokachi observed that the confidence level of the Nigerian squad is high and as such is convinced that they can get the job done.
In line with Amokachi’s foresight, Super Eagles chief coach Gernot Rohr has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to increase the match bonuses of the team just as the team gets set to resume the 2018 Word Cup qualifiers in August.
The 63 year old German made the plea during a press parley at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos emphasizing that a bigger bonus will encourage the players to do more on the pitch.
The Super Eagles are currently on $5000 for every win during the qualifiers but Rohr wants a review of that amount. Rohr called on the NFF to look into the increasing the team’s bonuses as a way of rewarding the effort of the players.
“The World Cup is a project that is achievable and Nigeria has the players that can do the job,” Rohr said.
“Cameroon and Algeria won’t be easy but the challenge of taking Nigeria to the World Cup and the players making their first appearance is strong enough to see the country through.”he added
Nigeria led Group B with six points after two match days and will host Cameroon in Uyo when the qualifiers restart.
A win for Nigeria will take the team to nine points, four points from her nearest rivals irrespective of the game between Zambia and Algeria who are the other teams in the group.
That will automatically mean the Eagles need just three more points from three games to pick the sole ticket from Group B.