Super Eagles set for Argentine revenge in Russia?

by Bertin Basson

Sunday Dec 03, 2017. 12:00

Nigeria will be aiming to exact revenge on Argentina when they renew their rivalry at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The two nations have been paired in Group D alongside Iceland and Croatia with the Super Eagles to go head-to-head against their South American opponents at a world showpiece for the fifth time.

Argentina hold a stranglehold over the West Africans at World Cup tournaments registering narrow wins in 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014 in Brazil where La Albiceleste reached the final.

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Nigeria, though, did record a 4-2 win over Argentina in a friendly encounter last month with Arsenal's Alex Iwobi bagging a brace for the Super Eagles.

The three-time African champions will meet Argentina in their third and final group clash in Saint Petersburg.

Nigeria kick-off their campaign against Croatia in Kaliningrad before heading to Volgograd to take on Iceland. Head coach Gernot Rohr believes that their opening game will set the standard.

“The first game (against Croatia) is the most important because you need to start well for your confidence,” Rohr is quoted as saying.

“Croatia are better ranked than us by FIFA so we are supposed to be the weakest team in the group.

“If we win the first game, it will help us against Iceland in the second game because we will not be under pressure.”