Isaac Okoronkwo has commented on the possibility of the Super Eagles meeting hosts Russia in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup.

Based on the match schedule, Nigeria and Russia could trade tackles either in Nizhny Novgorod or in Sochi if they qualify from their respective groups.

'' First of all, I will worry for my compatriots. However, I understand that the chances of getting so far from our teams are few,'' Okoronkwo told Sport Box.

''The Russian national team needs to aim at getting out of the group, and there already it should try to get as far as possible. But you need to play for it very much.''

Nigeria have been pitted against Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D of the World Cup; Russia face Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A.

Okoronkwo, who made his name at Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk, played for Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, and represented Russian clubs Alania,FC Moscow and Rostov.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel