Super Eagles to play friendly against World Cup champions Argentina in March

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles will play a friendly match against reigning World Cup champions Argentina at China's Olympics Sports Centre in Hangzhouom as the South American giants embark on a tour lasting from March 18 to 26.

According to the Argentina Football Association (Afa),  agreements have been reached with Nigeria and Ivory Coast and the Albiceleste will face both African nations during the tour. Taking place during the next Fifa window, both matches are part of Argentina's preparations for the Copa América taking place between June 20 and July 14, for which it is also the defending champions.

Over the last few days, the Super Eagles have suddenly emerged as the favourites to win the ongoing African Cup of Nations after several of the other favourites got knocked out. Following the elimination of the likes of Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana, Nigeria has suddenly become the highest ranked team left in the competition.

Nigeria and Argentina are familiar foes as they regularly get drawn together in the same World Cup group. In 1994 and the last three times that the Super Eagles have made it to the World Cup, they have been drawn in the same group with Argentine, losing to Aliceleste on all four occasions.

However, just before the 2018 World Cup, Nigeria enjoyed her best victory over Argentina, beating them 4-2 in a friendly game that took place in Russia. In 1996, Nigeria also beat Argentina 3-2 in the final of the Atlanta Olympics to win the gold medal in the football tournament.

Next March's  friendly encounter promises to be a star-studded one, as Argentina boasts of world class players like Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria and Enzo Fernandez. For their part, the Super Eagles will parade stars like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman.