Gernot Rohr, Manager of Nigeria looks on prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, June 25, 2018 - Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has expressed optimism ahead of his side’s final Group D game against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.
Tomorrow’s encounter at Saint Petersburg Stadium will be the fifth between both sides at the World Cup since Nigeria made its debut appearance in 1994. Rohr is hoping that this time the Super Eagles will be the ones celebrating at the final whistle. La Albiceleste had the upper hand in previous occasions.
Both sides need a victory in their quest to progress to the Round of 16, but while Nigeria are buoyed by their impressive 2-0 victory over Iceland in their last match, thanks to a brace from the speedy Ahmed Musa, Argentina are looking to salvage what has so far been a disappointing outing.
At the pre match press conference, Rohr said, “We were very happy about the nice goals of Ahmed Musa. The goals were constructed by the team from fast attacks and Musa scored them with wonderful techniques. I hope he will do it again (against Argentina). He works very hard. I hope the confidence he has now will help the team tomorrow against Argentina.”
Flashback - On this day (June 25) in 2014, the match between Nigeria and Argentina turned out to be an Ahmed Musa v Lionel Messi thriller.
Messi opened the scoring in as early as the third minute from 12 yards after Vincent Enyeama had tipped Angel Di Maria's initial effort on to the post. A minute later Ahmed Musa blasted home a quick response from the left to restore parity.
Messi completed his brace in extra time of the first half with a superb free kick from 25 yards. Then Musa responded yet again two minutes into the second half.
In the end however, it was Marcos Rojo’s goal that won the match for Argentina as both sides progressed to the Round of 16.
No mercy - This time however, only one of the two teams can make it through. And while Musa has got two goals to his name in Russia, Messi has got none. He even missed a penalty against Iceland. A penalty that could have given his side a very important victory. And this could be his last World Cup.
Rohr said: “We love Messi, everybody loves him. But it is not a question of if it is his last World Cup or not. We just want to qualify.
“You know in football there is no mercy, we cannot make any gifts even if we love him so much.”
Rohr’s plan - Rohr is keeping his plan close to his chest. In Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Croatia they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and with a 3-5-2 set up in the game against Iceland victory was assured.
In spite of Argentina’s poor performances thus far, one cannot deny the quality they have in their team but Rohr has assured that his youthful team will give their all in tomorrow’s game.
“I cannot give you our plan for tomorrow but expect to see a fighting team perhaps a draw for us will be enough but it’s not sure,” the Franco-German tactician explained.
“The youthfulness in some games can also be a disadvantage we saw it in our previous games. We gave away two stupid penalties. But we are improving and our work is now paying off. I hope tomorrow we would not get a penalty against us.
“Argentina have some doubt and of course we want to try to take advantage of the situation. But they are still in the top ten in the world while we are ranked 49th. We will stay humble.
“The only problem can be one day less of recovery but my players are hungry and we are very optimistic.”
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