David Ngobua
1 June 2011
Ahead of today’s high profile international friendly match between Nigeria and Argentina, Coach of the Albicelestes, Sergio Batista has said he has enormous respect for the Super Eagles and has assembled a crack side to prosecute the match.
Argentina will battle the Super Eagles today at the Abuja national stadium in what many football fans have described as the first real test for Coach Samson Siasia.
Although most Nigerians have expressed disappointment with the strength of the Argentine team due to the absence of stars like, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, the coach has insisted he has a great team to confront the Eagles.
Speaking yesterday at the pre-match press briefing in Abuja, the coach said the squad that will face Eagles is made up of quality players who are plying their trade in some of the leading clubs in Europe.
He explained that some of the players which Nigerians fans would have loved to watch play could not make the trip because they have just finished playing some of the toughest European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and Europa Cup.
The coach however assured that the Argentine team that will be on parade today will surely meet the expectations of the fans because they will play to win.
“I have a great squad to face Nigeria. We want to play well and win. The players we have are playing for good clubs in Europe. Nigeria also has a good team.
“Messi, Tevez and other stars have been playing in some of the toughest European competition. They need to recover from their busy schedules”.
Coach Batista said the match is an opportunity for him to test other players who would be required to represent Argentina in competitions like the COPA America.
He said the result of the friendly match will justify the confidence he has reposed in the youngsters.
The coach also said his team will not focus on any individual player in the Super Eagles because he has been following the team and he knows that every Nigerian player is good.
“This is a first team with high quality players. We shall see in tomorrow’s (today) result. I have respect for Nigeria”, he maintained.
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