Nigeria have brought the youngest squad to the World Cup and Fifa.com reports that only five players have played in a finals before.
Troost-Ekong said: “Many of us will be playing at the World Cup for the first time, but this may work in our favour, as we may be underrated and so might surprise some teams. We will play without fear.”
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Odion Ighalo should start for Nigeria, says the BBC, and Wilfred Ndidi is also expected to play a part even though he has had a hamstring issue.
But another of Nigeria’s World Cup debutants, Leon Balogun, is an injury doubt to face Croatia, reports Goal.com. Coach Gernot Rohr says the defender has a 50-50 chance of appearing in the first game.
Group D fixtures and live TV channels
- 16 June: Argentina vs. Iceland (2pm, ITV); Croatia vs. Nigeria (8pm, ITV)
- 21 June: Argentina vs. Croatia (7pm, BBC)
- 22 June: Nigeria vs. Iceland (4pm, BBC)
- 26 June: Iceland vs. Croatia (7pm, BBC); Argentina vs. Nigeria (7pm, BBC)
Croatia have taken a talented squad to the finals in Russia and are expected to include star players Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic in the starting XI to face Nigeria.
Striker Nikola Kalinic told the BBC: “The most important things now are those three points. We certainly have very high quality offensive players and we shouldn’t be afraid. It’s important that we play well and create opportunities for our attackers.”
Argentina face World Cup debutants Iceland in the other group D match on Saturday (2pm UK time, live on ITV).