• Match to kick off 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time
Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf believes the current Nigerian team has the quality to beat Argentina when they meet in an international friendly game on the November 14 in Russia, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The coach said the Super Eagles were capable of reversing the series of defeats suffered in the hands of the South Americans by beating them in Russia this time around. He told NAN that Argentina’s track records would not be an advantage because the two teams would play the match based on their current form.
“My players are equal to the task any time anywhere and we are not afraid of big names because big names no longer play football, but talent and determination are key to winning matches,’’ the coach said.
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He assured Nigerians of an impressive outing against Argentina in the warm-up match aimed at boosting the morale of not only the players but also their fans for World Cup.
The prestige friendly match will be one in the series lined up to familiarise Nigerian players with the playing style of their likely opponents at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Argentina Football Association has confirmed the kickoff time for the international friendly will be 1.oo p.m. Russian time, which is 5.00 p.m. in Nigeria.
Before accepting to play Nigeria, the Argentina Football Association had negotiated an international friendly with Ukraine and they also received a proposal from Israel.
Manager, Jorge Sampaoli has called up 22 stars for the friendlies against Russia and Nigeria, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di María.
Eight players have been placed on a standby list, including Guido Pizarro (Sevilla), Emanuel Mammana (Zenit), Giovanni Lo Celso (PSG), Emanuel Lanzini (West Ham), Gerónimo Rulli (Real Sociedad) and Joaquín Correa (Sevilla) and Emiliano Insúa (Stuttgart).
Nigeria have already qualified for next summer’s showpiece with a game to spare, after four wins and a draw in Group B of the African qualifiers.
Source: G Sport
