We should focus on positives from Argentina friendly, says Adepoju

Ex-international Mutiu Adepoju has described the upcoming international friendly between Nigeria and La Abiceleste of Argentina as a good way of preparing the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup.

Adepoju said in an interview in Lagos that no matter the outcome of the prestige friendly emphasis should be on the positives outcome of the match.

“First on the friendly match, the match against Algeria and Argentina is a good way of preparing for the World Cup, because there won’t be enough matches for the team.

“And though the match against Algeria is one of the last qualifying game, but we have already qualified, we can use it to prepare the team towards the World Cup.

“And the one against Argentina is a very great friendly game in which its first grade, which Nigeria, which will be very good for the preparation.

“No matter what happens in those matches, we should just try and get the positives from the matches.”

Similarly, Edema Fuludu, a former Super Eagles attacking midfielder, says the upcoming friendly is a dress rehearsal for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Fuludu said that the match will test the resilience of the players.

“You play Argentina, you are playing a team like Germany, you are playing a team like Brazil, you are playing such big team like Italy, so it’s good for us.

“Yes opposition cannot be stronger than Argentina; well task mentality, players’ resilience and a proper team formation because we qualified without losing a game.

“We were the first in Africa to have qualified with a game in hand. The Argentines they have met us a couple of times and we have lost to them.

“But we stood our ground well however we cannot afford to be losing consistently to them more so we may just meet again at the World Cup, so we must take the game very serious.

“The coach is also using such Grade A friendly to assess the quality of players’ he has so that he can know where and where to tinker properly.

“This kind of Grade A is what we need if we can play a few of them, it will give them psychological boost that will prepare them in their mind specifically.” (NAN)