Peter Rufai says he was invited back the Super Eagles squad only a few weeks before the 1998 World Cup and so discountenance the prediction of doom with the current team “that have several months before the world cup.”
The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, has admitted there have been human rights abuses of workers involved in the construction of the arena in St Petersburg due to host matches in next year’s World Cup.
Argentina have sacked Edgardo Bauza after eight matches as coach, with the team facing an uphill for automatic qualifying places for next year’s World Cup.
La Albiceleste are currently fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying group, with only the top four assured of qualifying for the tournament in Russia.
Finishing fifth would mean a play-off against a team from Oceania.
Bauza, was appointed in August and guided his side to three wins, two draws and three defeats.
AFA president Claudio Tapia said “We’ve told Bauza he’s ceased to be the national team coach,”
“The national team is playing badly and everyone knows it.”
Bauza’s final match was a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia, which came about 5 hours after captain Lionel Messi was given a four-match ban for verbally abusing an official.
Argentina have four games left in qualifying, with their next match against third-placed Uruguay on 31 August.
Last time Argentina failed to qualify for a World Cup was in 1970.