Nigeria
Nigeria became the first country in the African zone to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Saturday, after their 1-0 victory against Zambia.
The Super Eagles were in the group of death along with Cameroon and Algeria, who, like Zambia, will not be in Russia next year. There are still four spots to be decided in Africa for the World Cup. Nigeria is the twelfth team to qualify (32 participants in total).
For Nigeria, who won with a goal from Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, this is their sixth World Cup in the last seven editions.
Egypt, who hosts Congo on Sunday, will have a good opportunity to join Nigeria, led by Franco-German Gernot Rohr. A victory will be enough for the "Pharaohs" after the draw (0-0) between Uganda and Ghana on Saturday in Group E.
The Nigerian national team is in the hands of Franco-German Gernot Rohr, who arrived last year.
When asked this week by AFP, he stated that he made some changes in the African team.
"I put in a new coaching staff, favoring the arrival of new players (Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho), who could bring new sensations to the team, as well as physical and technical qualities. We also needed experience, with captain (John Obi) Mikel, (Leon) Balogun or Victor Moses. A key player per line," he explained.
"That made us become a homogeneous team. We have been up to the task for some time. But at the beginning, it must be said that there were many things to do, to implement a new philosophy, a certain discipline, respect for each other, solidarity," concluded the former Bordeaux coach.