Can Nigeria claim first win against Argentina?
- Details
- Category: Sports
- Written by Orkula Shaagee
- Hits: 637
In 1994, Diego Maradona who is now the Head Coach inspired the Argies to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in her first World Cup appearance in America, and eight years ago at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, a lone goal by Gabriela Batistuta separated the two countries.
But Nigeria swept to historic Olympic football gold at the expense of the Argies in 1996, also held in America, and only last year, Nigeria’s U-17 side shoved aside Argentina in their last group match in Bauchi on their way to a silver medal finish at the soccer event.
Therefore, as the two countries meet today the Super Eagles will be guided by two things; to avenge their past two World Cup deficit in the hands of the Argies and to win a spot in the next round of the biggest global soccer showpiece.
The Eagles have improved tremendously under Lars Lagerback, ands the Big Swede himself has been singing praises of the boys ahead to today’s clash.
If the mood and atmosphere in the team’s camp at Richards Bay is anything to go by, the Eagles will for the first time smile home after ninety minutes of hostilities at the magnificent Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
Having dismissed Shaibu Amodu in February following a disappointing African Cup of Nations campaign that saw them finish third, the Nigeria Football Association handed former Sweden coach Lars Lagerback a five-month contract to lead the Super Eagles in South Africa this summer.
The 52-year-old quickly set about familiarising himself with the squad, jet-setting around Europe to meet and greet the biggest stars at his disposal before casting an eye over the best of the local talent in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He quickly installed a solid 4-4-2 ahead of Nigeria’s fourth trip to the World Cup finals, though the loss of Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi has put a dent in his plans; Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu is expected to slot into that all important holding midfield role.
“There was a lot of improvement and I believe that as the tournament goes on, the players will keep improving,” Lagerback told the press following his side’s 3-1 win over North Korea.
It was their first victory in five matches and included goals for strikers Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and Victor Obinna.
While Nigeria have never been able to find a replacement for the mercurial Jay-Jay Okocha and have been criticised for a lack of creativity in midfield, Lagerback has a wealth of striking talent at his disposal. Hoffenheim’s Chinedu Obasi and Peter Odemwingie are comfortable drifting wide and will be vital to linking midfield and attack.
At the back, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is highly-rated and being touted for a big move should he enjoy a fruitful tournament while left-back Taye Taiwo is a solid rock, just as Joseph Yobo brings an invaluable experience to the centre of the defence.
On his part, since succeeding Alfio ‘Coco’ Basile in October 2008, Diego Maradona called up over 100 players, and it is still fair to say that El Diego has done his fair share of tinkering.
Since stumbling across the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying line with what was, ostensibly a Carlos Bilardo-inspired 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo, a degree of normality finally arrived to Los Albicelestes.
Argentina’s performance in their 5-0 friendly drubbing of Canada last month seemingly left quite an impression their capricious coach. That night, with first choice central defensive pairing Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel missing after the Champions League final, Maradona’s first choice right-back Nicolas Otamendi shifted inside to his preferred role, leaving Jonas Gutierrez to drop back into the vacant full-back position.
With Maxi Rodriguez returning after a considerable absence on the right side of midfield, Argentina showed a free-flowing fluidity inspired by the overlapping full-backs the coach said he had no need for. “Why do my full backs need to cross the half-way line?” Diego asked the press recently, informing them: “that’s what my wingers for!” He now seems to have arrived at a different conclusion.
It’s been an eventful 20 months or so since Diego’s arrival; his bizarre behaviour and struggling side have suffered their fair share of criticism, but he’s got them here. It’s also worth noting that Argentina had won just one of seven qualifiers when he took over.
Amidst all his idiosyncrasies, Maradona has managed to emerge with a solid group galvanised by a Jose Mourinho-esque “us against the world” mentality. And this weekend, the time for talking is finally over.
Articles
Can Nigeria claim first win against Argentina?
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 637
Today’s clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their Argentine counterparts is the third time in 16 years that the two countries will have to face each other in the group phase of the World Cup.In 1994, Diego Maradona who is now the Head Coach inspired the Argies to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in her first World Cup appearance in America, and eight years ago at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, a lone goal by Gabriela Batistuta separated the two countries.
But Nigeria swept to historic Olympic football gold at the expense of the Argies in 1996, also held in America, and only last year, Nigeria’s U-17 side shoved aside Argentina in their last group match in Bauchi on their way to a silver medal finish at the soccer event.
Therefore, as the two countries meet today the Super Eagles will be guided by two things; to avenge their past two World Cup deficit in the hands of the Argies and to win a spot in the next round of the biggest global soccer showpiece.
The Eagles have improved tremendously under Lars Lagerback, ands the Big Swede himself has been singing praises of the boys ahead to today’s clash.
If the mood and atmosphere in the team’s camp at Richards Bay is anything to go by, the Eagles will for the first time smile home after ninety minutes of hostilities at the magnificent Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
Having dismissed Shaibu Amodu in February following a disappointing African Cup of Nations campaign that saw them finish third, the Nigeria Football Association handed former Sweden coach Lars Lagerback a five-month contract to lead the Super Eagles in South Africa this summer.
The 52-year-old quickly set about familiarising himself with the squad, jet-setting around Europe to meet and greet the biggest stars at his disposal before casting an eye over the best of the local talent in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He quickly installed a solid 4-4-2 ahead of Nigeria’s fourth trip to the World Cup finals, though the loss of Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi has put a dent in his plans; Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu is expected to slot into that all important holding midfield role.
“There was a lot of improvement and I believe that as the tournament goes on, the players will keep improving,” Lagerback told the press following his side’s 3-1 win over North Korea.
It was their first victory in five matches and included goals for strikers Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and Victor Obinna.
While Nigeria have never been able to find a replacement for the mercurial Jay-Jay Okocha and have been criticised for a lack of creativity in midfield, Lagerback has a wealth of striking talent at his disposal. Hoffenheim’s Chinedu Obasi and Peter Odemwingie are comfortable drifting wide and will be vital to linking midfield and attack.
At the back, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is highly-rated and being touted for a big move should he enjoy a fruitful tournament while left-back Taye Taiwo is a solid rock, just as Joseph Yobo brings an invaluable experience to the centre of the defence.
On his part, since succeeding Alfio ‘Coco’ Basile in October 2008, Diego Maradona called up over 100 players, and it is still fair to say that El Diego has done his fair share of tinkering.
Since stumbling across the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying line with what was, ostensibly a Carlos Bilardo-inspired 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo, a degree of normality finally arrived to Los Albicelestes.
Argentina’s performance in their 5-0 friendly drubbing of Canada last month seemingly left quite an impression their capricious coach. That night, with first choice central defensive pairing Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel missing after the Champions League final, Maradona’s first choice right-back Nicolas Otamendi shifted inside to his preferred role, leaving Jonas Gutierrez to drop back into the vacant full-back position.
With Maxi Rodriguez returning after a considerable absence on the right side of midfield, Argentina showed a free-flowing fluidity inspired by the overlapping full-backs the coach said he had no need for. “Why do my full backs need to cross the half-way line?” Diego asked the press recently, informing them: “that’s what my wingers for!” He now seems to have arrived at a different conclusion.
It’s been an eventful 20 months or so since Diego’s arrival; his bizarre behaviour and struggling side have suffered their fair share of criticism, but he’s got them here. It’s also worth noting that Argentina had won just one of seven qualifiers when he took over.
Amidst all his idiosyncrasies, Maradona has managed to emerge with a solid group galvanised by a Jose Mourinho-esque “us against the world” mentality. And this weekend, the time for talking is finally over.