Why Facing Messi, Aguero & Co Is The Best For The Super Eagles Now

The aftermath of a successful qualification series is a revamp time for managers, as they must have to juggle stability and the need to make decisive improvements to their team, if need be, such that makes up for the subtleties of a big tournament preparation.

At this stage, the Super Eagles team leaves wiggle room for tourists and that is to say that the very best legs should be on the plane to Russia; players that are well talented to churn out optimal performances at the World Cup, having navigated the rough and tumble of the continent's best.

Now, in order to pontificate in respect to technical context, it is extremely imperative that such games like the upcoming Argentina friendly are the calibre of games the Super Eagles should be facing up to, one which would be developmental to their cause, quality-wise, and of course closely mirrors the sort of challenges they would be dealing with in Russia come 2018.

Throw in the fact that the Albiceleste were runner-ups in the last edition of the showpiece and then it is succinctly clear that Gernot Rohr's men would be thoroughly tested on the day, needless to say they are well aware of the gravity of examination they would have to contend with.

With the game equally taking place at the home of Nigeria's World Cup hosts, it is also important in the sense that the national team would acclimatize to some extent and even get to learn certain things even before 2018 turns out.

On the other hand, the Argentine Football Association handlers are leaving no stone unturned, having invited their very best players for the contest, with Barcelona's talisman, Lionel Messi, Manchester City star, Sergio Aguero, Paris Saint Germain's ace, Angel Di Maria and the crown prince of Turin, Paulo Dybala all topping the provisional list of invited players who would square off against the Super Eagles in Krasnodar.

This one would mark the first meeting between the two sides Argentina humbled Stephen Keshi's Eagles 3-2 in Beira-Rio, Porto Algre three years ago in Brazil — with a Lionel Messi's double helping the South Americans to the victory.

And yet, the Nigerian defence would have to devise plausible means of shackling the mercurial marksman; his knack for being decisive though, if they would have to come out top that day.

It is hugely expected that Rohr would have to make some experiments with most of his squad players in the inconsequential game against Algeria and perhaps, this one but but then, it is overly pertinent to maintain shape and strength in order not to throw a spanner in the works for themselves on the back of the impressive improvements the
national team has made under the new regime's reign with any kind of horror showing.

So, if the gigantic profile of this international friendly is anything to go by ,it is the best thing that would ever happen to Nigerian football now.

Gernot Rohr and his team can ill-afford to fumble.

Emmanuel Chinaza