Argentina rightfully wary of Nigeria's unpredictable 'Super Eagles'
May 30, 2002
NARAHA, Japan (AP) -- Argentina kicks off its World Cup campaign against Nigeria on Sunday, hoping to banish memories of two famous failures against African opposition.
At the 1990 World Cup, Diego Maradona's defending champions suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the opening match. Six years later, Nigeria scored an injury-time winner as they came from behind to win 3-2 in the final of the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
That defeat still haunts the current Argentine squad -- 11 of whom were on duty that day. They're determined that this time there won't be any deja vu.
``We were so close to a gold medal, only to lose right at the end,'' Argentine forward Ariel Ortega said at the team's training camp this week. ``The defeat was a very painful experience for us. But this is the World Cup and it's another story.''
Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron says Nigeria can beat anybody on its day. Just ask Spain, beaten 3-2 at France '98 by an irresistible 'Super Eagles' side.
``Perhaps they lack some tactical organization at times,'' says Veron. ``But they have truly great players who have joined clubs abroad. They can make life difficult for you.''
Argentina defender Roberto Ayala marked Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu at the Atlanta Olympics, and the two will again lock horns on Sunday.
``He's a rare player because he's so tall and yet has so much skill on the ball,'' Ayala said. ``He goes one way, then the other. You're never quite sure what he's going to do.
``But we can't afford to worry too much about the opposition. We have to concentrate on being right ourselves.''
Marcelo Bielsa's team is blessed with an abundance of world class talent in all positions, and he now has the difficult task of having to choose 11 starters.
The biggest question remark is whether to play Gabriel Batistuta or Hernan Crespo in his 3-3-1-3 formation, which has two wide players supporting a single central striker.
His team selections this week would suggest Crespo will start against Nigeria, with Batistuta on the bench. Ariel Ortega and Kily Gonzalez are likely to be on the wings.
In midfield there are no doubts. Veron will be the playmaker, with Diego Simeone marshaling the defense and Javier Zanetti and Juan Pablo Sorin playing wide. In defense, it will be Ayala, Walter Samuel and Mauricio Pochettino. Pablo Cavallero should start in goal.
Nigeria will be pinning its hopes on the experienced trio of Kanu, Augustine 'Jay-Jay' Okocha and Taribo West. The team was bolstered this week with the arrival of defender Celestine Babayaro, who has recovered from a late-season thigh injury.
But, as ever, Nigeria's preparations have been undermined by infighting,
Nigeria has underachieved since its success in Atlanta, despite an array of extraordinarily gifted players. Bogged down by indiscipline among players, team mismanagement and petty squabbles over money, the team only just scraped through the qualifiers.
Several players were jettisoned this year after failing to get beyond the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations in Mali -- and again expectations are high.
President Olusegun Obasanjo was quoted this week as saying he expects the team to win ``nothing less than a quarterfinal place.'' He said the players needed ``prayers, adequate preparation and luck.''
New coach Adeboye Onigbinde says the mood in the camp is positive.
``The squad appears happy and relaxed. Spirits are high,'' he said. ``Argentina and Nigeria both have great players, so this should be quite a spectacle.''
The game could hinge on how effectively Argentina deals with Nigeria's physical presence.
Argentina's Ortega will be dwarfed in size by many of Nigeria's players, but he's undaunted.
``Yes, we expect them to be very physical, and quick'' he said. ``But we can also harass them and impose our game.''
Ortega's dribbling skills and darting diagonal runs will be key to providing Crespo or Batistuta with ammunition. He will wear Diego Maradona's famous No. 10 shirt. FIFA rejected Argentina's request to 'retire' the jersey in honor of its legendary former captain.
Nigeria provided the opposition the last time Maradona played for Argentina at a World Cup. It was 1994 and Argentina came from behind with two goals by Claudio Caniggia to edge past the Africans. Maradona excelled in that game, but was led off the pitch after the final whistle by a FIFA nurse and failed a doping test, leading to a worldwide ban and the end of his illustrious international career.