Okoronkwo: Nigeria Impressed Me Against Argentina; Messi, Higuain, Dybala Their Top Players

Published: January 02, 2018

Former Super Eagles defender Isaac Okoronkwo sung the praises of the Nigerian national team for beating Argentina 4-2 in an international friendly in Krasnodar in November, saying that they would have still won if Barcelona's Lionel Messi had featured.

The ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers star went the distance in Nigeria's 1-0 loss to the two-time world champions at the 2002 World Cup, and he has opined that that squad that paraded the likes of Batistuta, Ortega, Veron and Simeone are stronger than the present squad.

''Yes, and my team impressed me. At first, a little scared or even afraid - after all, Argentina. But when they conceded two goals there was already nothing to lose,'' Okoronkwo told Sport Box.

''The team went forward and gradually changed the game. I liked that the national team showed its character.''

He added : ''That (2002) match was very good, and then the Argentine team was, perhaps, even stronger than the current. Today, they stand out for their individual qualities - Messi, Higuain, Dybala.

''In our time, Argentina played a strong game. But I would not say that I remember the match very well.

''I remember a more devastating victory over Arsenal (3-0) in the Champions League in 2000, when I was in Shakhtar.

''This was the last game, and thanks to these three points we were in the playoffs of the UEFA Cup.''

Nigeria and Argentina face off at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018 in both countries final Group D match at the World Cup.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fifa.com