Gent Nigerian pair Anderson Esiti and Moses Simon have been discussing the 2018 World Cup Group D fixture between Nigeria and Croatia with their teammate, goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić

Lovre Kalinić, 27, is expected to be named to Croatia's roster for the tournament in Russia as backup to first-choice goalie, Monaco's Danijel Subasic, who started the last six matches played by the national team.

These days, Esiti is not in the plans of the Super Eagles coaching staff led by Gernot Rohr but Simon has been called up for the friendlies against Poland and Serbia this month.

''I have the impression of being underestimated by Nigerians, and I have Simon and Esiti in the club, two young Nigerian players who are already great players,'' Kalinic told Sportske Novosti.

''Guys are powerful and fast, but very responsible, quality players and they say to us that this is how the whole team is.

''So any one-and-a-half percent looser approach ahead of the match with Nigeria can be crazy.''

Argentina and Iceland complete the teams in Group D at the 2018 World Cup.

Igho Kingsley