Tyronne Ebuehi Admits: Argentina Will Be Difficult To Beat With Messi

ADO Den Haag defender Tyronne Ebuehi has admitted that the Super Eagles will find it difficult to beat Argentina when both teams face off at the 2018 World Cup on June 26.

Nigeria began their World Cup preparations with a 4-2 win over Argentina in a friendly in Krasnodar last November but the two-time world champions were without Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Ebuehi has taken this into consideration as he commented on the Super Eagles chances of qualifying for the last sixteen.

''That's hard to say, even though we beat Argentina in November, it's still a very difficult opponent, especially when Lionel Messi is competing, which was not the case for us,''  Ebuehi told ADO Den Haag's official website.

''Also Iceland and Croatia have shown they are good teams. I think we will certainly qualify for the next round, but then everything has to be right. "

The right-back passed up the opportunity to complete his transfer to Benfica in the January transfer window as he wanted to remain at ADO Den Haag, where is assured of game time ahead of the World Cup.

Ebeuhi added : ''A year ago I did not dare to think that I would get the attention of such a big club and play in a national team, it could indeed go fast in football, I see it as a result of working hard daily to get better, that is already paying off, but I am not there yet, I have to continue to develop myself I have not finished at ADO Den Haag yet....''

The 22-year-old Ebuehi won his fourth cap for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 loss to Serbia at the Hive Stadium on March 27.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel