Tijani Babangida says  the Super Eagles are condemned to beat Croatia in the opening Group D match at next year’s World Cup to ensure they reach the knockout rounds of the competition.

The Eagles open their Russia 2018 campaign on June 16.And former Ajax Amsterdam flying winger Babangida, who featured at the 1998 World Cup in France, said he believes that for Nigeria to be sure of advancing beyond the group stage, a win against Croatia is not negotiabl

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb's Algeria international El Arabi Hillal Soudani has advised the Croatian National Team to pay special attention to Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup, saying they recently defeated Argentina 4-2 in a friendly.

Soudani has picked Chelsea star Victor Moses and skipper Obi Mikel as the top players on the Super Eagles team.

''I did not play due to injury in one game, but I was watching them and I can say that Nigeria is an extremely powerful team. Especially physically powerful, really powerful,'' Soudani toldsportske.jutarnji.hr.

''Apart from that, a lot of players in big clubs, they have played, have not lost the match in qualifications.

''The biggest stars and main players are Obi Mikel and Moses from Chelsea , but they are still very good players and Croatia needs to be careful.

Soudani, who has netted 22 goals in 45 appearances for the Desert Foxes, was not summoned for the World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles last November due to injury and was not called up for the match day six fixture with Nigeria in Constantine last month.