Play A Fair Match Against Iceland, Nigeria Tells Croatia

Nigerian Super Eagles

Super Eagles Coach, John Obi Mikel has led calls for Zlatko Dalic to field a strong side in the final round of group games with the Super Eagles playing catch-up against Argentina.

The Super Eagles will qualify if they beat the 2014 runners-up and could also go through if Croatia are not beaten by Iceland by a two-goal margin. However, with Croatia already qualified for the knock-out stages and needing only a point against Iceland to secure top spot in Group D, Zlatko Dalic has announced his intention to rest a number of key players to ensure no suspensions are incurred before the round of 16.

“I don’t think it’s the best thing to do,” Mikel said in an interview with Goal. “This is a massive tournament – you can’t rest people and give others a chance of qualification.

“They should be professional and play their best team. This is such a big stage that you can’t rest players just to help other teams to qualify.”

Clemente unsympathetic to Nigeria’s request

Las vueltas que dá la vida , Obi Mikel de Nigeria pide a Croacia deportividad y juegue con los titulares . Nigeria en el 98 jugó con los suplentes contra Paraguay y perdió , España a la calle , ese día parece ser la deportividad no era importante.

— Javier Clemente (@JaviClemente_) June 24, 2018

However, Mikel’s plea drew sharp criticism from former Spain coach Javier Clemente, who reminded the Nigeria captain that the Super Eagles did exactly the same thing in 1998 to the detriment of La Roja, who exited in the group stage despite beating Bulgaria 6-1 in their final game after Nigeria, who had already qualified, fielded a weakened team against Paraguay and lost 3-1, a result that saw them safely through in second with Spain finishing a point behind in third.

“What goes around comes around,” Clemente, who led La Roja in France, said on social media. “Obi Mikel has asked Croatia for sportsmanship and to play their starting XI. In 1998 Nigeria played their reserves against Paraguay and lost, sending Spain home. It seems that sportsmanship wasn’t so important that day.”