Argentine coach Basile highlights Nigeria’s weaknesses

Islam SLIMANI of Algeria Challenged by Leon BALOGUN (L) and William EKONG(R) of Nigeria during the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria vs Algeria on November, 12th 2016 at Godswill Akpabio Stadium ©Kabiru Abubakar//Backpagepix©Kabiru Abubakar//Backpagepix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Jan 06, 2018. 11:00

Argentine coach Alfio Basile has highlighted Nigeria’s weaknesses ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals which will be hosted by Russia.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia as well as Argentina.

Basile masterminded Argentina’s 2-1 win over the Super Eagles 2-1 at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, despite Samson Siasia giving the Nigeria an early lead in the eighth minute.

''I heard the coach from Iceland and I thought he was very smart.

“But we can not be afraid of Iceland, the Nigerians are offensively good, but the defenders are very distracted,'' Basile told Radio Rivadavia.

''If the ten is good, we can beat anybody, if Messi is not there, we are a team.''

Basile went on to state that current Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli does not have enough time to adequately prepare his team for next year’s tournament.

''I do not know Sampaoli, but I think he will not have time to work well with the team.''

Nigeria and Argentina will square off at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on 26 June 2018.