By SHOLA OSHUNKEYE
Two unreplied goals, one in each half of Saturday’s uninspiring game against Croatia, assured Nigeria the bottom-of-the-table position in Group D of the ongoing World Cup in Russia,
In the match played at Kaliningrad, which the Super Eagles had 47% possession to Croatia’s 53%, Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo helped a diving header by Kramaric off a corner kick from the right flank to beat goalkeeper Francis Uzoho in the 32nd minute.
The devastating own goal conceded by the Eagles galvanised the Croats to make more dangerous moves in a game in which Nigeria’s attack was blunt.
The first half remained a ding-dong affair and somewhat kept the hope of the fans of the Nigerian national team alive as the first have rolled to an end.
Although Nigeria held their ground in the second half, the Croats put the game beyond the Eagles with a penalty by Luka Modric at the 71st minute. Now, the Super Eagles would have to up their game and do something extraordinary to make an impact in the competition.