Lukman Haruna and Ramon Azeez, both former captains of the Nigerian Flying Eagles, believe that Ladan Bosso’s team has the potential to cause an upset in their upcoming round of 16 clash against hosts Argentina.
However, they caution that the match will be challenging.
The Nigerian team finished third in Group D after a 2-0 loss to Brazil in their final group stage game.
Haruna and Azeez, who both played in the U-20 World Cup in 2009 and 2011, emphasize the importance of thorough preparation for the match, which is set to take place at the San Juan Stadium.
Argentina’s young Albiceleste squad has been impressive in the tournament, scoring a total of 10 goals and earning maximum points to top their group. They sealed their dominance with a resounding 5-0 victory over New Zealand in their last group stage fixture. Prior to that,
they secured wins against Uzbekistan (2-1) and Guatemala (3-0).
Former Almeria midfielder Ramon Azeez expressed his thoughts ahead of the clash against Argentina, emphasizing that the Nigerian team needs to avoid showing too much respect to
their opponents, just as they did against Brazil. Azeez acknowledged the tough challenge posed by Argentina, highlighting their experienced and talented players, particularly in the
midfield.
However, he believes that Nigeria can secure a victory if they strategize to neutralize key Argentine players like Maximo Perrone, Valentin Carboni, and Federico Redondo. Azeez remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals.
Lukman Haruna emphasized the importance of aggression and clinical finishing for Bosso’s team in their match against Argentina. He referenced their performance against Italy as an
example, highlighting the need to replicate that level of intensity to have a chance against the Argentines.
