Siasia’s Long Search For Victory Over Argentina

This is one day that coach Samson Siasia has been waiting for.

Today, being the first day of this new month of June is unique according to Siasia.

“I have been waiting for this day to come and I think playing against Argentina as a coach is a great honour. I want to be the first Nigerian coach to beat Argentina at the senior level, he said”

As soccer loving Nigerians wait patiently for the 7pm kick off time of the high profile international friendly match between the Super Eagles and the senior national team of Argentina, Siasia is eyeing history at the Abuja national stadium.

Although, the main task ahead of the former Nantes of France striker is this weekend’s must win African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia, but Siasia believes that tonight’s

Encounter stands out among the hurdles he has to cross in his career.

“This is an ample opportunity for me to avenge the previous defeats that my country and I had suffered in the hands of the Argentine team. I have lost once to them as a player and as Nigeria’s coach, Argentina have beaten my team twice.

“Now that we are meeting again, I don’t want to lose because it has been my dream to revenge against Argentina,” Siasia said at their Transcorp Hilton Hotel camp in Abuja.

Far back in 1994, the Eagles, then under Dutch Technical Adviser, Clemense Westerhof

lost 1-2 to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in a World Cup match in the US. Siasia scored Eagles’ lone goal in just eight minutes into the match before bowing to the Argies.

Although, the Nigerian team left America with their heads held high and a new prestige in the higher echelons of world football, but losing to Maradona and his country remained a bitter pill to swallow for Siasia.

Argentina also defeated Siasia’s Flying Eagles in the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship at the Netherlands 2005.

Lionel Messi, the player on everybody’s lips across the world at the moment, wrecked havoc on the Nigerian team that year. The Barcelona star did the same when he inspired Argentina to beat Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles to win the Beijing 2008 Olympic gold in China.

“All these are the previous memories that we have to change with tonight’s encounter,” said Siasia, who is well-known for his attacking football.

Siasia, a one time player of Julius Berger of Lagos, has also promised the fans that the Eagles would entertain them when the tie with Argentina gets underway.

Skipper Joseph Yobo, Inter Milan’s Joel Obi, Chelsea’s Mikel Obi and Victor Anichebe of Everton are among some of Nigeria’s best legs available for the encounter.

With or without Messi, Siasia has a date with history, but Man City’s Pablo Zabaleta, who will captain Argentina against Nigeria says they are in Abuja to give the Eagles a run for their money.

—Tunde Oyedele/Abuja