Tony UBANI
VERY few countries would want to dine with Argentina in the World Cup, even with a long spoon. What with the array of mercurial players at their disposal. Add that to the deadly form of such players like Lionel Messi, Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and others.

But Eagles Manager, Lars Lagerback  has asked Nigerians not to lose sleep over the pre-world cup form of the Argentines. “Every day people ask me questions about Argentina and the good form of their players. They are doing well, no doubt. But we do not need to be afraid of Argentina.

I know how to handle them. I have what it takes to check them”, the Swede who watched from the stand as Niger stopped the home Eagles from the African Cup of Nations Championship qualifier in Kano said. “We should believe in our players to give them the push to do well. I want positive comments.

The Nigerian players are world-class players and I will use them to make a statement in the World Cup”, he said.  “We’ll try not to allow Argentina score first when we play. If we can keep them at bay, we will frustrate and beat them”, Lagerback optimised.

Speaking in the same vein, erstwhile goalkeeper and Media Officer of the Eagles Peterside Idah agreed that the Agentines have a formidable attack that can rattle any defence. “But they don’t have a good defence. If you have a team that pile pressure on them, they conceed cheeky goals”, Idah said.