Super Eagles to face Messi: Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China

The Super Eagles will not renew their rivalry with Argentina next month. - Imago

Super Eagles to face Messi: Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China

Tosin Abayomi 04:05 - 30.01.2024

Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China as the Super Eagles revive rivalry with Messi.

The next two matches for the Argentina national team will be against the two African countries.

The social media accounts of Argentina made announcements about the games.

The selection of two African teams was motivated by the lack of a formidable European opponent or a location with advantageous logistics.

The Argentine football team will play two African opponents during the friendly window in March when it travels to China, the AFA announced on Monday, following an agreement with a Chinese corporation.

Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China as the Super Eagles revive rivalry with Messi. | Imago
Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China as the Super Eagles revive rivalry with Messi. | Imago

The Albiceleste's two longtime allies, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, will put them to the test as they get ready to defend their continental crown in the US.

During their tour of China, Argentina will play Nigeria at the Olympics Sports Center stadium in Hangzhou.

Due to their strong leg, African adversaries are frequently physically demanding and Argentina tries to avoid them.

Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China as the Super Eagles revive rivalry with Messi. | Imago
Argentina confirms Nigeria friendly for March in China as the Super Eagles revive rivalry with Messi. | Imago

Super Eagles and Argentina history

It will be the tenth high-level match between Nigeria and the Argentine national team, with the latter leading the former in the FIFA rankings at 42.

Lionel Messi and Vincent Enyeama greet in the tunnel prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup match between Nigeria and Argentina (FIFA via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi and Vincent Enyeama greet in the tunnel prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup match between Nigeria and Argentina (FIFA via Getty Images)

In particular, their five World Cup meetings have resulted in victories for the Albiceleste (2-1 in 1994, 1-0 in 2002, 1-0 in 2010, 3-2 in 2014, and 2-1 in 2018).

The other win came in a friendly match in 2011 when Argentina won 3-1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The only ever draw was in the King Fahd Cup (0-0) in 1995; the other two losses were in friendlies, with the most recent one occurring in Abuja in 2011 and from 2-4 at Krasonar, Russia, in 2017.

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