Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has
said the Super Eagles will not set a set a target for themselves at the
upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup but is hopeful the team can advance from Group D
of the competition.
Iwobi scored his first goal
for the Eagles as Nigeria beat hosts Zambia 2-1 to open their Group B African
qualifiers for Russia 2018 on a winning note.
He
would then hand the Eagles their sixth World Cup ticket when he scored the only
goal against the Chipolopolo in Uyo to ensure the three-time African champions
became the first African side to book a ticket to Russia with a game to spare.
Iwobi scored twice as the
Eagles earned a comprehensive 4-2 win over Argentina last October in Krasnodar
but he admitted that they were in a difficult group that has the two-time world
champions Croatia and Iceland.
“No
doubt, we are in a very tough group but we are going to work hard to qualify
from the group. We have a great team, so we have no reason to fear because
we’ve got what it takes to make it,” he added.
“We are
not setting targets but we are confident we can come out of the group. With our
fans behind us, we can go far at the tournament. I don’t have personal targets
as well, it’s my first World Cup and I can’t wait to play at the World Cup.”
Asked if the Eagles, who have
been beaten four times at the World Cup by the Argentines, can repeat the
Krasnodar performance against the South Americans again in Russia, Iwobi
added, “We are confident we can repeat that at the World Cup. We were
unbeaten in the World Cup qualifiers and we are confident and have young
talent, who want to prove themselves any time they are on the pitch.”
The 22-year-old, who arrived
the Eagles camp in Uyo on Monday aboard a Peace Airline accompanied by his father,
Chuka, described the departure of Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, as
“depressing.”
The Frenchman was a key
figure in Iwobi’s rise and has been a major source of motivation the Nigerian
forward since handing him his Gunners debut in 2015.
“The fact
that he’s going is depressing; he gave me confidence to become who I am today,”
Iwobi added.
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