Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel believes that Argentina chose to face Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly because the three-time African champions have become stronger.

The Super Eagles will round off their schedule of games in 2017 with a showcase friendly against the two-time world champions in Krasnodar on Tuesday evening.

''It's good for us to hold a match with Argentina, we met repeatedly, it's a very good indicator that they chose us,"Mikel said at the press conference attended by Ria Sport.

''It shows that we have become stronger, our style of play has changed, we have achieved a number of successes.

''This is also seen and that's why they chose us as a sparring partner, which will be a good test for both teams.''

Having made the bench in an inconsequential World Cup qualifier against Algeria last week, it is all but confirmed that Mikel will win his 80th cap for the Super Eagles against La Albiceleste.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel