Stephen Keshi has said Nigeria must be realistic about next year’s World Cup after top officials had suggested a semi-final target for the team.
The Super Eagles will go to Brazil as African champions, but they have failed to go past the Round of 16 in their previous four outings at the global soccer showpiece event.
And Keshi has said ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw in Brazil that the tournament will be tough as all the finalists have a point to prove.

“We have to be realistic because there are no small teams among the 32 going to Brazil, any of the teams will be tough,” Keshi told Brila FM Radio.
“We have no preference of any of the countries to be our group. All we need do is to prepare well for every team and take the games one after the other.
“If we get Brazil or Uzbekistan or Malta as World Cup opponents, Nigerians will still worry.”
“The country should continue to have confidence in the team, support the team, rather than pulling it down,” he added.
Keshi, who is now two years on the job, said he does not expect the MVP from the recent U17 World Cup Kelechi Iheanacho to be part of his plans for Brazil because he lacks the necessary experience.
“Iheanacho is a good player, but he has to play in a team and gain league experience and not just perform in the U17 World Cup,” he said.