Following the Super Eagles 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cuiaba in the early hours of Sunday, Ogenyi Onazi has insisted that Lionel Messi is a normal human being whom they have nothing to be afraid of.
The midfielder, who expresses optimism ahead of the final round of Group F fixtures on June 25, said Eagles would give their opponent a though time, adding that there was .
"Messi is a normal human being, a football player," he told reporters. "Of course we have to strategise and make our plans to make sure we get things done (against Argentina)" he said.
The Lazio of Italy midfielder, who said he was satisfied with his team's performance attributed it to the successful execution of coach Stephen Keshi's instructions.
"We improved on our passes and our attacking and made sure we did everything as a team" he said. "The coach gave some instructions for me to do, and I had to do it. I'm the one in charge in the midfield and I had to calculate how to move forward, when to come back. It was the game plan for the team."
The June 25 match against the Albiceleste will the fourth time both teams have played at the World Cup, with the South Americans having won all three encounters, albeit narrowly.
It would be recalled that Messi scored a late winning goal against Iran on Saturday, as well as the crucial second goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Onazi maintains that after watching Iran hold them for more than 90 minutes before Messi scored the late goal believed that Eagles are ready to take on one of the pre-tournament favourites.
"We're taking every game step by step. No one gave us a chance and we are not ready to say much, we just want to go step by step" Onazi said.
The African champions, who moved second in the group are two points behind the Albiceleste, who have already qualified following their opening two victories.
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