Former Nigerian manager, Adegboye Onigbinde has said preparation is quite key to Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

The three-time African champions were on Friday drawn in Group B together with neighbours, Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia in the African zone qualification race.

Onigbinde said records and statistics have not been good judgement of how countries fare in major championship but their respective preparations.

“I have never bordered myself with the group or who are there in the group but I concentrate on getting my team prepared for the championship.

“I do not believe in the catchword or singsong ‘Group of Death or Life’ it means absolutely nothing.

“France came to the World Cup in 2002 as champions but lost its first match to relatively unknown side, Senegal.

“Football is not mathematics and I do not believe in records or statistics as well as spying of opponents.

“My interest and concentration has always been to build a solid team for the championship.

“Our chances will squarely depend on how we prepare our team for the qualifying race and it rest on the technical men.

“Nigeria can win the World Cup if everything is properly done but sadly we are still joking with our football,” said the former Caf and Fifa instructor to supersport.com.

The African zone qualification race is expected to begin in October –November which will see the groups winners pick the five tickets reserved for the continent at the World Cup.

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