2014 W/Cup: S’Eagles Stake All Against Argentina

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go into today’s last Group F match against Lionel Messi and Argentina knowing that their fate is in their own hands. The team under the Tutelage of Coach Stephen Keshi knows exactly what to do to advance to the round of 16, for the first time since France 1998.
The Eagles need to beat or hold the Argentines, to be guaranteed passage as group leaders or runners up respectively. Also, if Iran fails to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, it will be enough for the Nigerians, while a lone goal victory for the Iranians and a one goal loss for the Eagles will see Nigeria’s fate decided by the toss of a coin or a draw of lots from the hat.
Interestingly, the Super Eagles were literally written off with no chance of progressing beyond the group stage after the first game with Iran.
But an improved performance and a lone goal victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the second match have induced renewed confidence and hope that the team can turn the table.
Now, there is expectation that Argentina can be beaten. The South Americans have become a sort of recurring albatross for Nigeria, beating the Eagles on three previous meetings in the World Cup.
Nigeria lost 1-2 to Argentina in Boston at USA’94, 1-0 Via Gabriel Batistuta in Ibaraki, Japan at Korea/Japan 2002 and 1-0, courtesy of Gabriel Heinze in South Africa four years ago.
The country has however, had two good memories in encounters with Argentina, a 4-1 friendly victory in Abuja in 2011 and a 3-2 victory in Under 23 cadre to claim Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal in Atlanta 18 years ago.
Thus, the Super Eagles must be on their toes to stop Messi and co, because, if there is ever a good time to play Argentina, it is now they seem to be struggling and have been relying on Messi’s magic to carry them in Brazil. A two lone goal victories, all courtesy of Messi’s ingenuity does not depict the opposition on one that the Eagles should fret so much.
But Keshi must have his tactics, spot on to close down Angel Di Maria and Messi, while ensuring that the Eagles take their opportunities as they come.
Again, the Eagles must be ready to fight for one another, be aggressive and not leave keeper Vincent Enyeama to weather the Argentina wave of attacks, just the way he did in South Africa four years ago. Though Argentina may have qualified with six points in their kitty, they know that any slip up may see Nigeria top the group and push them to the path of rampaging France in the round of 16.

Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo (2) leading the defence as Nigeria remains the only team yet to concede a goal at Brazil 2014