London, England
Di European World Cup qualifying don finally kick off, and e dey look like wetin National Football fans go call ‘season of drama’. This month, 24 nations go dey jostle for space to fit enter World Cup for North America next summer. Na 16 spots dey up for grab, and six groups of five plus six groups of four don arrange themselves like say dem go enter arena for serious fight. Dis 54 teams na big names, and di likes of Germany, Spain, and France still dey prepare for di early rounds. E no get wetin go fit stop dem unless bad luck or serious injuries catch dem. No be small pressure, especially for Italy who don dey struggle lately.
As di competition be, we fit highlight five teams wey dey hot for dis qualifying stage. Spain, di reigning champions, don gather big talents like Rodri and young stars Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Pedri. Dem get duka play wey fit delight fans, and di expected weather fit just add pepper to di excitement for di USA and Mexico. But wait, e no be like say dem go just waka enter World Cup, because dem get tricky matches ahead. Na Bulgaria dem go face first, follow by Turkey and di unexpected Georgia.
Now, as e go be, na wetin happen for dem group matters. Suppose Turkey fit wake from dia slumber or if Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from PSG decide to shine for Camp Nou, e fit change di whole game. But if dem fit bring dem A-game, Spain go just dey run tori for di group while dem dey face Italy wey don dey struggle below dem.
Next on di menu be Sweden wey be dark horse for di tournament. Di Swedes don find di groove again after dem enter di show with new coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. Di combination of forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak don dey shine. Dem dey look good to run tings in der group, and all dem aa is to keep dem head straight.
But padi, no be only dem dey under pressure. Italy dey face serious wahala. One match for Hungary against Israel go determine plenty as dem dey navigate Group I. If dem lose that one, e fit mean say dem dey closer to di exit door again, and na nothin wey dem want. Dem don taste 3-0 defeat from Norway, and dat one be serious red light for dem.
Belgium too dey join di ‘big boys wey dey under pressure’ category. Di golden generation don fade, and e mean say dem gats put in extra work to secure dia place in di World Cup. Di match against North Macedonia fit determine dem fate as dem dey sit four points behind dem leaders.
Finally, di Greek national team dey show small signs of improvement with some fresh talents. Di age of di team dey average around 22, and dem don create big sparks in der qualifying match dey ready to roll. We go see if dem fit merge all dis energy to get result and prevent dem from free-falling.
As this qualification phase dey roll, e go dey interesting to watch how di teams go perform. Wetin be sure be say plenty surprises dey wait for us, and dem wey manage am better go surely secure dia spot for di show next summer!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
