SPORTS – The Argentina national team coach Jorge Sampaoli has backed one of the best teams in Africa, Super Eagles of Nigeria to prove the FIFA Ranking wrong.
The 57-year-old while backing the Argentina Football Association’s decision to set up a friendly against a 41st ranked Nigeria, said the ranking is not the true reflection of the technically and physically strong Gernot Rohr tutored side.
The former Chilean national team coach also praised Nigeria as one of the best teams, despite being 5th in the African ranking.
“For now, they are one of the best teams in Africa, which tells a lot about their qualities. We are expecting a very challenging game from Nigeria. They are good in several ways.
“The FIFA ranking sometimes do not reflect the real situation of a nation’s playing strength, they beat the African champions convincingly in the qualifiers, which shows how good they are and we must approach the match with all seriousness,” Sampoli concluded.
Of the previous seven meetings between the Super Eagles and The White and Sky Blue, Nigeria has a record of 5 Loses, 1 Draw and 1 Win. The only victory was in 2011 at the national stadium Abuja where a brace from Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Obinna, and Emmanuel Emenike helped Nigeria to a 4-1 win.