Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has expressed optimism at his side’s chances of winning the World Cup in Brazil and shocking the entire football world.
The player recently escaped being injured in the terror attacks in Jos last week after he left the market that was hit 15 minutes earlier.
The 21-year-old will make his debut appearance at the tournament after missing out from the Confederations Cup last year due to a knee injury.
The Lazio player feels that the African champions can conquer the world and reach the final match in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.
“I want to win [the World Cup],” Onazi told Soccernation. “When we went to the Nations Cup, I believed we would win and we won it.
“We can win the World Cup as well. That is my simple belief. I know it will shock the whole world if we do it but that is what life is about, shocking those who think you cannot achieve a certain goal.”
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside pre-tournament favourites Argentina, Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina. All three are ranked higher on the Fifa rankings.
Onazi refused to be cowed by the profile of any of the Super Eagles’ opponents: “I respect the fact that there are teams rated higher than us but honestly, once we step on the pitch, that rating has nothing to do with what happens in 90 minutes.
“I am actually looking forward to playing the best teams. I missed the Confederations Cup and so I didn’t play Spain and Uruguay. I cannot wait to face up to the big boys,” he said.
