Legendary Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze who scored the winner for Argentina when they defeated Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in Brazil has given his views about their upcoming clash with Nigeria at the World Cup.
Heinze who is currently coach of Argentina top division side Velez Sarsfield said Nigeria are a very compact side but they have a major weakness in the middle due to the pace of their captain John Obi Mikel.
While recognising him as the talisman of the Nigerian team, the ex PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid defender said his pace will no doubt kill the natural instinct of using pace in turning defence into attack which Nigeria are well known for.
” Maybe Nigeria will qualify alongside Argentina from group D but Croatia are also in with a shout. You expect African teams to be difficult customers and Nigeria from past meetings are not to be written off easily “, Heinze said while giving his pre view of the upcoming World Cup in Russia.
” The Nigerian team isn’t the same anymore. In the middle their most important player is the captain but he tends to slow them down. Something Argentina could use to their advantage “, Heinze concluded.
Shedrack Obi
