Former coach of USSR, CIS and Russia Anatoliy Byshovets does not want 2018 World Cup hosts Russia to be pitted against Nigeria in next summer's football festival.

Russia as the host country will automatically be seeded in Group A, and there's a possibility that they can be drawn to face Spain, Costa Rica and Nigeria, who are in Pot 2, Pot 3 and Pot 4 respectively, in the group stage.

''The group of death is Russia, Spain, Costa Rica and Nigeria. The  past match with Spain can be assessed as a valuable experience, we saw how difficult the game was. But in official meetings the price of error will be higher. That's why I'll choose Spain,'' Byshovts told Sport Express Russia.

''We have a sad experience of meeting with Costa Rica . This team at the last World Cup looked impressive, they were spoilers.

''Nigeria was very bright, looked fearless in the match with Argentina in Krasnodar. The team is well balanced, high average level.

''In my understanding, Nigeria is a kind of African Germany . A good combination of technique and ability to impose a power struggle. ''

Nigeria, who have qualified for their sixth World Cup, have never met Russia at the World Cup.

Igho Kingsley