Super Eagles to hit Kaliningrad on Thursday for Croatia

Ahead of their opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Croatia, the Super Eagles had their first training (open session) yesterday at 5pm Russian time. This was after the team settled down nicely at their Sanatorium Istochnik Hotel, Essentuki team base camp at the FIFA World Cup. According to the NFF, a delegation of 23 players and technical and administrative staff flew by executive jet from Vienna to Essentuki Airport in South West Russia on Monday, arriving at a few minutes after 10pm. Large gatherings of people showed excitement atseeing the three -time African champions arrive in very Nigerian buba-and-sokoto uniform sown inNigerian colours, complemented with white bowler hats. Essentuki is located in the Stavropol region of southern Russia. There was a brief airport reception coordinated by staff of the Local Organizing Committee and the world football -governing body, FIFA. At the hotel, a welcome reception organized by the Governor of Essentuki, the Minister of Sports in the Stavropol region and the Manager of Sanatorium Istochnik also held. Expectedly, yesterday morning, FIFA and LOC conducted the team arrival meeting, ahead of the training session in the evening. The Super Eagles will train again this evening, before flying to Kaliningrad on Thursday for their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Croatia on Saturday at the 35,000 -capacity Kaliningrad Arena. Super Eagles are in Group D along with Argentina,Iceland who are making their debut at the World Cup and European giants, Croatia.Russia 2018 is Nigeria’s sixth appearance at the World Cup, after making their debut appearance at USA 1994.Super Eagles are aiming their surpass their best record of round of 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014 in Brazil.