… Lukman Likely To Start

Roland Andersson has said that young midfielder Haruna Lukman is likely to start against Argentina when the Super Eagles open their World Cup campaign.

The Monaco midfielder has played in all three friendly games under Lars Lagerback and Andersson, who is Lagerback’s right hand man, says he has made a strong case for a starting position.

“Yes, of course he can start, but we will see what happens. He has showed already that he is a good player. He is young and he develops more and more every day.”

Lukman’s vision and eye for the pass has led to comparisons with Nigeria great Austin Okocha. Andersson agrees, but says the Under-I 7 World Cup winner still has years ahead of him to reach that level.

“You can’t compare him to Okocha already now, but in the future he has the opportunity to become as good as Okocha was. But only if he works hard. He has to work on his defense and make sure he improves.”

The youngster’s position has been strengthened by the withdrawal of John Mikel Obi from the Super Eagles squad due to injury, but Lukman insists that he is his own man.