Argentina can’t ‘KILL’ us–Onazi roars!

Super Eagles vice-captain, Ogenyi Onazi has declared that the team will be battle ready when they face familiar foes Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in June.Nigeria will be making her sixth appearance in Russia and like a scar that refuses to heal – the South American giants will be their opponent for the fifth time at the Mundial.

Onazi, who made his World Cup debut in 2014 and featured in the 3-2 loss to La Albiecelste believes that the Eagles have learnt from previous experience and will be ready for the challenge.

“What cannot kill you makes you stronger,” the 25-year-old told FIFA.com. “This is the mentality we want to use. The true Argentina is one of the best in the world and it’s not going to be easy.“When you do something, you try to learn from what you’ve done to be better, so we’ve learned from our mistakes in Brazil and now it’s time for us to correct them and do the best we can.”

Onazi went on to discuss the importance of his role in the team.

“Football today is beyond size, weight and physique. Most important is to try and be fit in every aspect of life,” the trabzonspor midfielder explained.“For me, this is about modern football. Modern football is: if you can be there before your opponent, that’s the most important thing. [Central midfield] is one of the most difficult positions in football because you determine how the game is going to be played – fast or slow – and how it unfolds tactically.”

Nigeria recently defeated a Messi-less Argentina 4-2 in a friendly and will need to replicate that form when they meet again in June. Both countries are in Group D alongside Croatia and Iceland.