Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel says he is optimistic Nigeria will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Nigeria are already four points clear of second-placed Cameroon and five ahead of Zambia and Algeria coming to the third round of qualifying at the end of this month.

From the pleasant reading Mikel is upbeat about their prospects of topping the table and claiming the section’s sole spot at Russia 2018.

“We are in a very good position in our group,” the Tianjin Teda midfielder told FIFA.com.

“We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home. We have a very good young team and the players play good football.

“If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through,” He added.

The dormer Chelsea star added that the pressure to qualify is intense, stating “My wife is Russian,” he said, “and many of our relatives and friends are from Russia.

“They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them,” he added, laughing.