Argentina to attack Nigeria with three up front

Two-time world champions Argentina named a three-man attack of Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain for their World Cup opener against Nigeria at Ellis Park Stadium today.

Updated on: Jun 12, 2010, 19:40:51 IST

AFP | By HT Correspondent, Johannesburg

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Two-time world champions Argentina named a three-man attack of Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain for their World Cup opener against Nigeria at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.

The world's best player Messi was to play in behind Tevez and Higuain in their Group B match.

The Nigerians left veteran Nwankwo Kanu on the bench and also opted for three forwards, Yakubu Ayegbeni, Chidi Odiah and Victor Obinna.

Argentina have won both their matches with Nigeria at the World Cup - 2-1 at the 1994 tournament in the USA and 1-0 at the 2002 Korea/Japan edition.

Nigeria's last victory at the World Cup was back in 1998 when they beat Bulgaria 1-0 and since then the Super Eagles have lost four games and drawn one.

Teams

Argentina - Sergio Romero - Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Walter Samuel, Jonas Gutierrez - Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano (captain), Juan Veron - Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez.

Nigeria - Vincent Enyeama - Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo (captain), Danny Shittu, Chidi Odiah - Sani Kaita, Dickson Etuhu, Lukman Haruna - Victor Obinna, Yakubu Ayegbeni, Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (GER)

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