Former Nigeria defender, Taribo West, has said the Super Eagles don’t have what it takes to stop Lionel Messi, when they take on Argentina in their third Group D match of the 2018 World Cup on June 26.
West said Gernot Rohr’s defenders need special tactics, to be able to stop the Barcelona superstar.
“We have good defenders, but from what I have seen, they don’t have what it takes to stop Messi at the World Cup. Stopping Messi requires special tactics which they don’t have.
“We don’t have the kind of defenders that can mark out Messi for 90 minutes and that will make it difficult for the Super Eagles.
“My advice is that they should not concentrate too much on him. During my playing days, you need just one player that will mark him out and throughout 90 minutes, there won’t be breathing space for him,” West told CompleteSports.
West also expressed satisfaction with Rohr’s preparations for the tournament which kicks off June 14.
“If you see the way they are preparing for the World Cup and the way they played during the qualifying series, I will say they did incredibly well and if they can continue like that, definitely they will excel in Russia.
“I believe this team will do well because they are strong and young and that is some of the things you need in a team.
”A team like this present Super Eagles can create surprises and also go far in the World Cup,” he added.
