Ex international, Jonathan Akpoborie has revealed that the latest FIFA rankings could put the Super Eagles in an easy group when the draws for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are conducted.
Nigeria being the third-best country in Africa has a significant bearing on the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round as they are one of the seeded teams and will be in pot one when the draw is held at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, Egypt.
The nine countries the Super Eagles cannot face in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers are Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo as they are among the top ten ranked African nations and will be seeded for the draw.
Akpoborie told Soccernet.ng that the chances of the senior national team to qualify for the Mundial in Qatar look brighter with the latest rankings.
“I am delighted that the Super Eagles is among the top rankings in Africa because this will help the team avoid tougher opponents during the qualifying series,” Akpoborie told Soccernet.ng
“Being ranked 31st may not be the best for the Super Eagles as far as 2019 is concern, but then, the most important thing is that Nigeria will be seeded, thereby making the route for Qatar very bright for the team.
Akpoborie was part of Nigeria’s team that won the first edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship in 1985, scoring in the final against the then West Germany.
