We are not afraid of Argentina – Shehu Abdullahi

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jun 26, 2018. 12:30

Nigeria defender Shehu Abdellahi says the Super Eagles have no fear of Argentina ahead of the teams’ 2018 World Cup Group D decider later today.

The West Africans and the South American heavyweights will battle for a place in the last 16 when they meet in Saint Petersburg tonight.

Argentina come into the game on the back of an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Croatia last Thursday which has left them on the brink of elimination, while Nigeria bounced back to form with their 2-0 win over Iceland the following day.

The Super Eagles and Argentina have been regular combatants in the World Cup – this will be their fifth meeting in the tournament’s history – but the African side has finished on the losing side on each occasion.

Despite this, Abdullahi insists his side will approach the game with a positive mindset.

“We've got a great confidence from our win against Iceland and that's given us a lot of motivation as a team,” Abdullahi told Goal.

“We are not afraid of any team but we have to just go all out and get the job done against Argentina. This is a different game from what we had the last time.

“Argentina is a very attacking team and are not defensive minded. I believe the coach [Gernot Rohr] knows the tactics to adopt and the best way to approach the game.”

Kick-off at the Krestovsky Stadium is set for 20h00 CAT.