Eagles must not man-mark Messi

Former Nigeria midfielder, Edema Fuludu, believes second-placed Super Eagles can get the right result against group leaders Argentina on Wednesday and advance to the next stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner cautioned the Eagles against man-marking Lionel Messi.

Nigeria have met the South Americans thrice at the World Cup and they have been on the losing side on all occasions. But they need at least a draw on Wednesday to advance to the Round of 16 in Brazil.

Fuludu, who missed out on a place in the 1994 World Cup, said, “There is a glimmer of hope for us because we upped our game against Bosnia. I wouldn’t say we were fantastic but we were determined and we got the desired result.

“With what Iran did against Argentina on Saturday, it shows they are not invincible. They couldn’t break Iran until Lionel Messi sprung up with his magic in the 93rd minute. What we need is a draw but it is not impossible to beat Argentina.”

“I believe we will qualify; the less people believe in Eagles, the more they stand a chance of winning.”

Messi has played a vital role in Argentina’s two victories against Bosnia and Iran, grabbing the winners but Fuludu says it will be costly for Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi to deploy a particular player to mark the Barcelona superstar.

“Keshi has his own game plan but I dHe said, on’t believe in assigning a particular player to Messi. If we do that, then the other Argentines will be very free to run riot around us. We should be able to master our zonal marking and close in when he (Messi) tries to go to his left because that is his most lethal point; that is where his power lies.

“If we can devise a way where two players can close him immediately he gets the ball, or prevent him from receiving passes in front of our 18-yard box, we are sure that we won’t have a difficult game. But if we assign someone to him, surely the player may get a card or two and that would be a big blow for us.”

The former Turkey-based player said the Eagles would need a packed midfield to successfully check the Argentine dangerous attackers such as Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.

Fuludu said, “If I were Keshi, considering the quality of players he has, I won’t sit back and defend but I will pack my midfield and let Emmanuel Emenike and Osaze Odemwingie run riot upfront while five players will be in midfield.

“If we can hold our midfield, the defence can have a little respite. Vincent Enyeama has been wonderful, so I believe we should attack them, push them back and secure a draw or a win and advance to the next stage of the competition.”