Nigeria is the team to beat to qualify from Group B of the Africa qualifiers for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, according to Super Eagles’ coordinator, Patrick Pascal. Nigeria is leading the group with six points from two matches, ahead of Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, and there is no tendency that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who just won the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon earlier this month, would have the strength and capabilities to upstage Nigeria in the survival of the fittest race.
“I have been following the story since Cameroon won the Nations’ Cup. They never expected it. The result just came like a surprise. Truly, they are African champions, and nothing could take that away from them, but their position cannot be a threat to Nigeria.
Although, people argued that Nigeria did not qualify to play at the last Nations’ Cup and they are not in the same rank with Cameroon, but that should not be a yard stick for measuring the strength of the Super Eagles. Definitely, Nigeria is the team to beat in the World Cup qualifiers, because Cameroon with just two points will first face Algeria before coming to Nigeria,” Pascal told The Point.
The former Super Eagles’ midfielder said he was shocked that people no longer give Nigeria respect in the qualifying race. “What we have is that Eagles should be afraid of the Indomitable Lions.
It is Cameroon that should be afraid of Nigeria. Our fans should know that nothing will change Eagles’ leadership position. We would maintain the lead, and by the grace of God, we will not slip
No, it should not be so. It is Cameroon that should be afraid of Nigeria. Our fans should know that nothing will change Eagles’ leadership position. We would maintain the lead, and by the grace of God, we will not slip.
At the end of the race, Nigeria will take the ticket,” he said. Speaking about life after retirement, Pascal said God has been so good to him, as he has never regretted his past. He said he was fortunate enough to take good steps, at a right time.
“I thank God I left the stage when the ovation was loudest, and I went back to school, gained some experience as football administrator in Bauchi and later at the national level, where I am serving now. It has been from glory to glory.
From one step to another. I have gathered enough experience,” he said. Pascal was born in December 14, 1974 in Gali, Bauchi and started his professional career in the Nigerian Premier League for Gombe United. After a year in Gombe, he moved to the Shooting Stars FC, where he developed into a top performer and was loaned to Belgian second division football club, KSV Waregem in January 1994.
After eighteen months in Belgium, he returned to the Shooting Stars FC and remained there until January 2, 1997, before he moved to Gençlerbirliği in Ankara, Turkey. In Ankara, he competed as a striker for seven seasons and scored eleven goals. In September 1997, he returned to Belgium and signed for Verbroedering Denderhoutem.
He stayed with the club until November 18, 1997 and then signed with Altay Izmir. Pascal played 45 games for the club until the end of his contract on May 30, 1999. After the season, he returned to Belgium and signed up in January 2001 with Royal Antwerp. After nine appearances in the 2001/02 season, he joined the Belgian amateur club Koninklijke Ternesse Voetbalvereniging Wommelgem.
After five and a half years with K. Ternesse VV, he moved to the Provinciale, to FC Apollo-Nielse in January 2006. Pascal finished his career in 2009 and returned to Nigeria. He was in the national team between 1998 and 1999.
At the end of his active career he became the president of the Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi, where he remained until the spring of 2012, when he was appointed Special Assistant for the youth teams of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“I have seen a lot and believe so much in Nigeria. I can never compromise my faith with any other thing, because I know that our present national team is the best in Africa. I did not need anybody to tell me that. I have seen the qualities of our players.
They command first team shirts in their various clubs and they are all doing well. Whenever they come home, we always see the magic in the way they play. They can beat any team in the world, I can bet it. I value their optimism, patriotism and dedication to national call. With the Franco-German strategist, Gernot Rohr, they can shake the unshakables and make their impact in the world of soccer felt. No team can stop Nigeria from going to Russia 2018,” Pascal said.
The former Special Adviser to the NFF President, said the proposed FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, will not make Cameroon more fantastic, as they will play as ‘underdogs’ to other continental champions.
The Indomitable Lions came from behind to defeat Egypt 2-1 in the final in Libreville, thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Nicolas N’Koulou and Vincent Aboubakar. Cameroon will join Australia, Chile, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal and hosts Russia at the tournament, which runs from June 17 to July 2.
The competition gives each confederation’s best team the chance at more glory on the very same stage that will host the FIFA World Cup™, the greatest footballing show on earth, one year later.
Cameroon will play in Group B alongside Chile, Australia and Germany, with their first match at the tournament coming against Copa America champions, Chile, in Moscow at the Spartak Stadium on Sunday, June 18. They will then travel to St. Petersburg to face AFC Asian Cup winners, Australia on Thursday, June 22, before wrapping up the group stage against World champions, Germany on Sunday, June 25 in Sochi.
Cameroon will aim to become the first ever African side to lift the Confederations Cup. Mexico are the only participating nation at Russia 2017 to have been crowned champions in 1999.
