Nigeria star Ahmed Musa has called on his team-mates to take revenge on Argentina for beating them in the last World Cup when they meet in this season’s tournament.
The two nations are drawn in the same World Cup finals group for the second time in a row and will again meet in their final game of the round in Russia.
The game proved decisive last time as a Lionel Messi double cancelled out Musa’s strikes before Marcos Rojo netted a winner to see the Albiceleste finish top of the group, while Nigeria finished second and crashed out against France in the next round.
Excited to return to the big stage and come up against Messi and Co. again, Musa feels his side may have extra motivation, although he insists their opener against Croatia is the most important game.
“Nigeria are younger and, I hope, better than [we were] in Brazil. At that World Cup, I scored two goals vs Argentina, we lost 3-2, but both progressed,” Musa told Goal.
“I wouldn’t mind if that happened again in Russia. But also, maybe it’s time for revenge against Argentina.
“Argentina is the best in the group going by name, and for us the most important thing is to not lose opening game vs Croatia. I would be very happy with a draw.”
The 25-year-old, who spent the final months of the season at CSKA Moscow on loan from Leicester City, says the Super Eagles know all about their first opponents, as he has history against them.
“To be honest, we already know how to play against Croatia, but of course I will not tell you,” he teased.
“The best Croatian player is Luka Modric, and I know Vedran Corluka from the Russian league, he is a very intelligent defender.
“I played and scored against Croatia once, in 2011 at U20 World Cup and we won 5-2.”