Officials of the NFF have confirmed that Captain of the Super Eagles, John Mikel Obi will return to the team’s starting XI against Argentina in Krasnodar, Russia.
Sergio Aguero scored the first goal at the reopened Luzhniki stadium as Argentina beat Russia 1-0 in a friendly Saturday.
The Manchester City forward scored on the rebound in the 86th minute to leave Argentina on a seven-game unbeaten streak despite a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign.
It was the first game in four years at Moscow’s vast Luzhniki stadium, which hosts next year’s World Cup final.
Argentina struggled to break down Russia’s defense for much of the game, but coach Jorge Sampaoli saw encouraging signs.
“We played in a straightforward, courageous, bold manner. We created resistance to the pressure that our opponent put us under.
We need to continue to do the same,” Sampaoli said through a translator. He singled out Aguero for creating scoring opportunities despite a lack of space offered by Russia’s defensive setup.
However, Sampaoli said Argentina had been too cautious at times and “there were situations when we weren’t able to apply the final touch.”
On a chilly afternoon in Moscow, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria went close to scoring for Argentina in the first half, but were denied by good saves from Russia captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Konstantin Rausch headed a goal-line clearance shortly after halftime to cut out a chipped cross from Lionel Messi.
Russia came closest to scoring with two efforts from midfielder Denis Glushakov around the hour-mark, but one went narrowly wide and the other was hit straight at goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Otherwise, the hosts posted little attacking threat.
“We were bad in the transition out of defense,” said Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov, who thought Argentina’s goal should not have counted because of an offside in the buildup.
Cherchesov said playing against 2014 World Cup finalist Argentina was ideal preparation for Russia to learn how to pull off a shock against higher-rated opposition at next year’s World Cup.
“Our opponents were stronger today but we need to learn how to play right and beat them,” Cherchesov said.
With a sellout crowd, security was tight at Luzhniki.
Argentina will be locking horns with the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday, 14th November in a similar friendly encounter.
Playing Argentina will be like sitting in a classroom for the Super Eagles as the team stands to gain more and learn from such matches according to Ex Player and Coach of Sunshine Stars Duke Udi.
Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile has sent a goodwill message to the Super Eagles ahead of the team’s final RUSSIA 2018 FIFA world cup qualifying cracker against the desert warriors of Algeria in Algiers later this month.
South America powerhouse Argentina has suffered another injury blow ahead of their international match against Nigeria on November 14 in Inter Milan striker.
Manchester City duo of Sergio Aguero and star defender, Nicolas Otamendi are expected in the Russian capital, Moscow, on Monday, November 6 to link up with the Argentinian national team ahead of their friendly matches against Russia and Nigeria.
The Argentina Football Association has published on its official website the date the players invited for both international matches will arrive in Moscow.
Fifteen players are expected on Monday, including Messi, Javier Mascherano, Manchester United’s Sergio Romero, and Manchester City pair Sergio Aguero and Nicolás Otamendi.
Ex-Manchester United winger ángel Di María will be among the last players to join the Argentina training camp in the Spartak complex on Tuesday, November 7.
La Albiceleste face Russia on November 11 before tackling Nigeria in a high-profile friendly in Krasnodar three days later.
The Super Eagles will train in Morocco before flying to Algeria for their final game of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The Arrival calender is below:
November 5: Emiliano Insúa, Ever Banega
November 6: Sergio Aguero, Nicolás Otamendi, Sergio Romero, Mauro Icardi, Alejandro Gómez, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Matías Kranevitter, Emiliano Rigoni, Leandro Paredes, Emanuel Mammana, Marcos Acuña, Eduardo Salvio, Federico Fazio, Diego Perotti
November 7: ángel Di María, Nahuel Guzmán, Darío Benedetto, Cristian Pavón, Enzo Pérez, Fernando Belluschi
Argentina Football Association has announced a final list of 26 players including summoned for the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, with four stars plying their trade in the domestic championship included.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi will not be on parade at the Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, venue of the pre-World Cup friendly between Argentina and Nigeria on Tuesday, November 14.
