Ex Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has urged the Super Eagles players, to gear up for a good performance in their opening World Cup group D game against Croatia on June 26.

Adepoju submitted that a good outing without a defeat will keep the Eagles in the loop, otherwise they would be climbing mountains in their subsequent games against Iceland and Argentina. “The first game against Croatia is going to be crucial. Croatia is a tough team with many quality players, but we must have a good start. That will very much determine how well we can do in the other games. This is why it is important the players get to the world cup in good form. I’m sure the coaches are monitoring the players and everyone should be in top form.”

He added that he is hopeful that top Eagles’ stars will lift their game at the World Cup even as the Eagles are not regarded as a team with players who have extraordinary abilities. “We have players like Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo and others who have done well with their clubs and I expect that they will also lift up their games at the tournament.”