NIGERIA VS ARGENTINA: ALLARDYCE WARNS EAGLES

Former Bolton Wanderers boss, Sam Allardyce has warned Nigeria's Super Eagles to throw everything in their arsenal if they must beat Argentina in the June 1 international friendly.

Allardyce witnessed the announcement of the historic match at the Eko Hotel, Lagos where he urged football_loving Nigerians to give support to the Eagles to beat Argentina which have become Nigeria's football nemesis.

Sam Allardyce
'This match is a great challenge to Nigeria,' Allardyce said. 'A match between Argentina and  the Super Eagles is a mouth-watering prospect. I don't know who's playing as yet, but I do know that with the depth of talent available in a country with the football heritage of Argentina, it will be nothing short of a world class side.  Outside of the usual candidates, think of Zabaleta and his goal for City last week.

Otomendi had a tremendous FIFA World Cup and is playing in the UEFA Cup Finals.  Mateo Musacchio is playing well for Villa Real.  The point is that whoever they send, they are going to prove to be a more than worthy opponent. A real handful.

'What's more, the level of young talent that the Argentines have coming through is phenomenal.  There are some truly exciting players - I'm thinking of Insua and Musacchio.  These are players that will look back and see this match as formative in their international careers.  I've said it from the outset when I came over to Lagos _ this is going to be one heck of a match.'

Siasia's assistant, Simon Kalika, agrees with Sam Allardyce insisting that Argentina remains a formidable force even without Messi.

'I don't really know what people are saying and their definition of a weak team,' Kalika said. 'Argentina are one of the best in the world and they are blessed with top stars across the globe. So they have enough reservoir of talents to beat any team in the world. I won't be fooled that Argentina will be weak.

I have the dossier of their players, who are all doing well at their various clubs and we still have some of them from the first team. We are going to concentrate on getting a good result against them.'