S’Africa 2010: Nigeria, Argentina Continue Rivalry

When hostilities begin on the 11th of June next year of the South Africa 2010 World Cup, with the host taking on South America’s Mexico in Group A, one picture that would easily come into the minds of football followers in Nigeria is the football rivalry in Group B between Nigeria and Argentina.

Then, of course, the next picture is likely to be the scene of the USA ’94 edition of the World Cup showing a drug-induced Captain Diego Amando Maradona leading his team to a 2-1 victory over a Super Eagles team that has hitherto remained the best the country has produced.

As painful as that defeat was, Nigeria seemed to take its pound of flesh from the Argentines when the African giants rode in the back of a hardfighting Argentine side to lift Africa’s first Olympic football gold at the Atlanta ’96 Games. But this is as far as the good news is for Nigeria in the rivalry.

In subsequent meetings, both in the championship finals of the 2005 and 2007 editions of the Under-21 World Cup, the Argentines went home victorious.

Now, the rivalry will continue in South Africa and both countries will also have to contend with Korea Republic and Euro 2004 Champions, Greece, making the four teams in Group B.

In Group A, host South Africa also has to grind an axe with 1998 champions, France and champions of the maiden edition of the World Cup in 1930, Uruguay.

Group C brought up an interesting match-up as England were paired with USA in a match which will take place in Rustenburg on Saturday, June 12.

This match will bring back memories of the clash of Brazil ’50, which the Americans won 1-0. However, Coach Fabio Capello of England and his mate, Bob Bradly of USA may have avoided a nightmare group with Algeria and Slovenia completing the group.

Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana make up group D, while Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Cameroun form Group E.

Italy is the seeded team in Group F, which also has Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia, while Group G looks a bit tricky with Brazil leading the park, followed by Korea DPR, Cote d’Ivoire and Portugal.

Spain leads Group H, with the others being Switzerland, Honduras and Chile.

Soibi Max-Alalibo, Tonye Orabere & Nancy Briggs