Argentina coach warns Nigeria, others about Messi’s ‘killer form’

Argentina Coach, Jorge Sampaoli, insisted wednesday that he expects Lionel Messi to be in ‘killer form’ for the World Cup as he would have been fully rested, which was not the case at Brazil 2014.

And if that happens, Sampaoli said Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia would have to be wary of the South American power-house at Russia 2018 this coming summer.

“We talked about his current situation, and about the fact that he cannot arrive as exhausted at the World Cup as he was four years ago,” Sampaoli said at a press conference in the Argentine capital wednesday.

“The plan is for him to make the most of the rest periods so as to be physically and mentally fit and in top shape (for the World Cup).”

Messi was excused to return to his club by the coach from a November friendly against Nigeria, which the Eagles won 4-2 in Krosnada, Russia.

A ‘tired’ Messi scored four goals including a brace against Nigeria as Argentina went all the way to the World Cup final against Germany in Brazil four years ago.

Meanwhile, Nike has officially launched the kits they have specially designed for the Super Eagles at the forthcoming World Cup.

The home kit is a simple, darkish green design with matching socks and a line of lemon green on the stockings.
The away kit is a sexier design with a clever play of strips and having some semblance with the designs the team wore at the World Cup debut in the USA in 1994.

The public presentation was staged in London wednesday.
The Eagles will launch the new kits at next month’s friendlies against Poland (March 23) and Serbia (March 27).
Super Eagles stars like John Mikel Obi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho were among senior national team players that reviewed the new designs, which also included those made for Nigerian fans on the video issued by Nike.

Iwobi as well as Lateef Omodiji and his sister Sophia, who are yet to feature for Nigeria at any age-grade level, were the Nigerian players at the ceremony who modeled in the new Super Eagles jerseys.

Thisday

 

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