By Akinwale Kasali
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr revealed that his players are not afraid of Argenitna’s Lionel Messi. He said that though Messi is the best player in the world having won five Ballon d’Or, but his players will tame the Barcelona FC superstar when hostilities commence at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Rohr made this disclosure over the weekend at the Agege Township Stadium, where he had gone to watch the Nigeria Professional Football League match between MFM FC and Heartland FC. which ended 3-0 in favour of the Olukoya Boys as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club is referred to.
The Eagles are in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia at the Mundial and would clash against their South American foes in their final group game in Saint Petersburg on June 26.
Both sides have met at the World Cup four times with the more illustrious South Americans triumphing on all occasions.
Messi has been in terrific form in La Liga helping Barcelona claim top spot with 72 points in 28 matches, eight points above second-place Atletico Madrid and 15 points above champions and bitter rivals Real Madrid.
In the same vein, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Super Eagles goalkeeper, also reiterated his coach’s view when asked if he could stop the sleek Argentine.
“Yes, I can stop Messi.”
“We play as a team always and collectively we have been doing well. That’s the mentality we are taking to the World Cup. If I get chosen by the coach, I will do my best always to stop any player from scoring,” Ezenwa said.
Rohr flew back to France yesterday, and will make a brief stop over in Germany. He has however revealed that the Super Eagles camp for the friendly match against Poland and Serbia will be opened by next week, with the invited players expected to report to team base in Warsaw, Poland.
It will be recalled that Rohr released a 25-man list to prosecute the two friendlies against the european countries, with all the players expected to be in camp immediately after their club engagement this weekend.
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