Nigeria’s first World Cup appearance came at the 1994 finals in USA.
The Super Eagles managed by Clemens Westerhof finished top of the Group with victories over Bulgaria (3-0) and Greece (2-0) but lost 2-1 to Argentina in the final game.
The Nigerians were eventually knocked by Italy (2-1) in the round of 16. Emmanuel Amunike scored for Nigeria with Roberto Baggio getting a brace for Italy.
In 2002, Nigeria were drawn with Argentina again in Korea Japan. Gabriel Batistuta scored the only goal of the game to give Argentina a 1-0 victory.
Nigeria failed to make it past the group stages losing 2-1 to Sweden and drew 0-0 with England.
In 1998 Nigeria returned to the World Cup with manager Bora Milutinovic and most 1994 squad members. Nigeria were drawn into group D with Spain, Bulgaria and Paraguay.
Nigeria scored a major upset by defeating Spain 3-2 after coming back twice from being 1-0 and 2+1 down. The Eagles qualified for the second round with a win against Bulgaria and a loss to Paraguay. The team’s hopes of surpassing its 1994 performance was shattered after a 1-4 loss to Denmark.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup but managed to make it in 2010.
Again Nigeria met Argentina in the group stages at Ellis Park. Gabriel Heinze scoring a controversial goal condemning the Eagles to a 1-0 defeat.
Nigeria lost the second game to Greece 2-1 and drew 2-2 with South Korea in the last game. Nigeria bowing out in the first round.
The Nigerians came into the 2014 Brazil World Cup and once again ended in defeat for the Nigerians against Argentina (3-2). This time the Super Eagles managed to qualify for the round of 16 picking up a goalless draw with Iran and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-0).
Nigeria lost to France 2-0 in the round of 16, Paul Pogba and an own goal by skipper Joseph Yobo condemning the Eagles to another painful exit.
Argentina will be Nigeria’s opponents again in Russia drawn in Group D along side Iceland and Croatia.
Their 4-2 win over Argentina in a friendly on 14 November in Krasnador Russia, is fresh in the memories and after today’s FIFA World Cup draws, an opportune moment presents itself for Nigeria to take on the Giants of World Football in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Gernot Rohr boasts of a very energetic squad littered with world class Players like John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Leon Balagoun, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Can Nigeria pick up the first victory over Argentina at the FIFA World Cup or will La Albiceleste maintain their unbeaten World Cup record against the Super Eagles?
Some interesting games to look forward to for all the Super Eagles fans.
GROUP D
Argentina
Iceland
Croatia
Nigeria
NIGERIA FIXTURES
16 June 2018
Croatia v Nigeria
22 June 2018
Nigeria v Iceland
26 June 2018
Nigeria v Argentina
