2018 World Cup: Africans pitted against tough opposition

Nigeria will be hoping to recapture the form that saw them beat Argentina in the international friendly just a few weeks ago, as they face the two-time winners in Russia. The Super Eagles will face Argentina next summer after they were paired together in Group D of the World Cup alongside Iceland and Croatia. Gernot Rohr was recently quoted by Kwese ESPN as saying he did not fear facing the football superpowers and should be excited to face Argentina, having already beaten them in a friendly.

In other groups, Herve Renard will lead Morocco to their fifth World Cup tournament with his side facing 2010 winners Spain and Euro 2016 champions Portugal. Iran complete the list in Group B. Egypt who beat Ghana en route to the World Cup qualification will be in Group A alongside another Ghana nemesis Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The Pharaohs will also expect at least one packed stadium at the tournament as they face hosts Russia.

Tunisia find themselves in Group G in yet another tough pairing. The North Africans will clash with star studded Belgium and England as well as Panama. You can expect preparations to be even tougher for the Carthage Eagles. Senegal complete the list of Africans at the 2018 World Cup and they are in Group H with Poland, Colombia and Japan. The Teranga Lions will battle it out for a knockout berth in a tricky group that will pit Liverpool’s Sadio Mane aagaint Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski. By Thierry Nyann|editors.3news.com|Ghana