Legendary Argentinian coach, Alfio Basile has commented on Argentina’s opponents in Group D of the 2018 World Cup, and has praised the Nigerian national team but highlighted their major weakness.
Basile was in charge of La Albiceleste when they beat the Super Eagles 2-1 at the 1994 World Cup, despite Samson Siasia giving the Africans an early lead in the eighth minute.
“I heard the coach from Iceland and I thought he was very smart, but we can not be afraid of Iceland, the Nigerians are offensively good, but the defenders are very distracted,” Basile told Radio Rivadavia, according to Ole Argentina.
“If the ten is good, we can beat anybody, if Messi is not there, we are a team.”
Alfio Basile reckons that manager Jorge Sampaoli does not have enough time to adequately prepare his team for the tournament in Russia, saying : “I do not know Sampaoli, but I think he will not have time to work well with the team.”
Nigeria and Argentina will face off at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.
