Speculation in the local media over the weekend claimed that star men like Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherno, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero have all been omitted from the squad by head coach, Sergio Batista who has reportedly opted for a second string side. NFF general secretary Musa Amadu said the federation was aware of insinuations and speculations in the media about the quality of the team that the South American nation would bring to Abuja, but insisted that the two-time world champions will come with senior team players of note.
“The truth is Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are playing in the Uefa Champions League final for FC Barcelona against Manchester United at the Wembley on 28th May. That is the day the Argentina team would depart from Buenos Aires for Nigeria, so naturally, you wouldn’t expect those two players to be on the trip.
“The Argentina team has a new coach, in Sergio Batista and is preparing for the Copa America taking place in July. Therefore, you would expect that the new Coach would want to blood a number of new players and see if they can fit into this tactics and plans. That is why there are a number of new players in the team.
“But the Argentina list that I have seen is replete with ‘A’ team players who ply their trade in top leagues in Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, Russia, Ukraine and the like.
We are assuring fans that Argentina would present its very best possible, apart from Messi and Mascherano who are obviously out due to the Champions League final.Nigeria has never defeated Argentina at senior level.Is this the time for Nigeria to achieve this feat?
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