Nigeria: International Friendly – Siasia Happy to Play Messi-Less Argentina

Olawale Ajimotokan

1 June 2011

Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has confessed his relief that Lionel Messi will not be in Argentina’s line up in tonight’s friendly in Abuja.

Siasia will be on the sidelines in his eighth game as the national coach of Nigeria since his appointment last year.

After a blow up against Togo in the final of the WAFU Cup this month in Abeokuta, he confessed at Tuesday’s media briefing, though with tongue in cheek, of his pleasure not to have his defence put to the limit by the player regarded as the best in the world.

“Messi’s absence is a big relief for us. He is a great player. In this instance, I would be happy to watch him play for Barcelona, but not against Nigeria,” Siasia said.

Nevertheless, the Eagles gaffer spoke of the readiness of the Eagles to show poise before a home crowd against a side that has won two of the past three high level showdowns between them.

Siasia said though Argentina is a great side, the Eagles would play for prestige and have a fun filled night at the National Stadium, Abuja before their adoring public.

“They (Argentina) are a great side and it will be exciting playing them. But our objective is to try not to lose at home. It will be a great exposure for the young team we are trying to put together and an important build up for the trip to Addis Ababa against Ethiopia. We have a good team that will excite our public. We can’t allow Argentina to walk over us as we are going to give them a good fight,” Siasia boasted.

Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, who sat with Siasia at the parley, was equally upbeat as he said that pride would be a determinant factor when the Eagles face the Albiecelesties.

“We lost narrowly on two occasions, but this friendly will be different. We have resolved to give them a big fight and maintain the honour and pride of our country”.

Yobo said that said Argentina will still flourish despite the exclusion of key stalwarts like Messi, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez from the friendly roster. He warned that it will be out of place to underestimate the South Americans, two- time winners of the FIFA World Cup.

Argentinacaptain, Pablo Zabaleta said that they would prepare well for Nigeria because of the physical approach and quality of the Eagles striking force.

“Nigeria is a big team with too much quality in the front. We have to be focused and defend well, try and keep the ball, pass it around and be aggressive. Nigeria will be a very difficult game,” the Manchester City player said.

While fielding questions, Albiecelestie’s coach Sergio Battista, said he was in Nigeria to beat the Eagles. He said the match will help in grooming the side for the Copa America which Argentina is hosting this year.

“We have quality players drawn from clubs in Europe. Hopefully, they should win the match”.

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