Rufai warns Eagles on Argentina

Former Super Eagles’ captain and goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, has warned the Brazil 2014 World Cup-bound Nigerian squad to be weary of the antics of the Argentine team describing the South American side as a dreaded squad any day.

He gave the warning yesterday at a media forum tagged ‘We are in Brazil’ organized by DStv SuperSports while recounting his World Cup experience.

Popularly known as Dodo Mayana, Rufai, who was in goal for Nigeria when the Super Eagles met the Argentine team at both the USA ’94 and France ’98 World Cup finals, confessed that he was always jittery each time he faced the Albiceleste.

“If there’s any team I hated to face, it was Argentina. I don’t like the way they move on the pitch. They would confuse you with their zig-zag runs, particularly, during dead ball situations” he said.

“The Argentine team has always been a dreaded side right from time. From the days of Cannigia to Bastituta down to Maradona and now Lionel Messi, Argentina would always come to the World Cup with a dreaded squad with all their antics. I remember that when we met them in USA ’94, each time Maradona had the ball, Bastituta and the other players would begin to run zig-zag to confuse their markers; and trust Maradona, he knew how to locate them with the ball.

“But I’m sure Argentina will come with different mentality and strategy this time round because they know that Nigeria will be fully prepared for them in Brazil and.I see the Super Eagles beating Argentina this time round.”

I’m happy that Eagles have a sound technical crew so it’s going to be a different ball game in Brazil and I see the Super Eagles beating Argentina this time round.