CSKA Moscow of Russia striker Aaron Samuel is relishing the excitement of making the Nigeria World Cup squad next summer.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group D alongside eternal World Cup rivals and South American side Argentina as well as Eastern European giants Croatia and European Cinderella team Iceland.

Nigeria was the first nation from Africa to qualify for the World Cup and are looking to move beyond the threshold of Quarter-finals for the first time in their fifth outing at the global football showpiece.

Genort Rohr-led Eagles are in the race to get the best legs and with attention solely on getting strikers, Samuel could be a favourite should he improve with the Russia giants.

The 23-year-old has been left out of the senior national team since 2015 after making just seven appearances in his hitherto one-year spell in the national jersey.

However, he is saying he is desirous of making the Nigeria squad to the World Cup next year, but admits he needs more time on the pitch and will have show that with enough goals.

“It will be a good thing, and it is very important for me,” he says of the chance to play at the World Cup.

“Russia is where I am based, I know the country and the weather and as the World Cup is being played in the country where I am based, it will be very exciting for me to play in it.”

“I need to start playing more, because I have not been playing so much at the moment because of some issues.

“For me to be at the World Cup, I need to play more and it is something I am working on,” he added.

So far this season, Samuel has not been in World Cup level form for CSKA, having managed just a goal in 17 league appearances.