Sports
Mikel returns as Super Eagles face Argentina today
Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, will return to play with the team as they face two-time World Cup winners, Argentina, at the Krasnodar Arena Stadium, Russia on Tuesday.
Mikel was not fielded when Nigeria played Algeria in Constantine last Friday in a final Group B 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier which ended one goal apiece between both teams.
“I will rest Mikel for Friday’s game but he will be ready for the game against Argentina,” Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr said before the Algeria tie, citing the midfielder’s lateness to the training camp as a reason.
But the skipper will return to thes starting lineup as the Eagles seek to end the age-long dominance of the South American giants.
Read Also: Buffon retires as Italy lose World Cup ticket
Rohr, who led the Eagles to qualify for their 6th World Cup finals, has been reported to deploy a 3-5-2 formation against the Argentines, with Premier League duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi leading the front line.
The possible back three in the starting XI are Balogun, Troost-Ekong and Awaziem, while Mikel will control the midfield alongside, Abdullahi, Ndidi, Ogu and Aina.
Nigeria have won only one game in seven senior meetings against Argentina since 1994 to date. The last time both nations met, Nigeria put up a good fight but finally lost 3-2 in a 2014 World Cup group game.
The friendly will take place today at 5:30p.m Nigerian time.
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