Nigeria can stop Messi through ‘a simple tactic’

Multiple title winner in many countries and former Ajax, Machelen and Anderlecht manager Aad de Mos says that Nigeria’s Super Eagles need to have their feet planted on the ground going into the World Cup in Brazil.

He also spoke on how Nigeria should contain Argentine wizard, Lionel Messi, in their group match at the World Cup.

Speaking to TheCable in Eindhoven, de Mos said: “The World Cup is very different from the African Cup of Nations. The world’s journalists will be there and the pressure will be huge. There are no easy games at the World Cup so Nigeria must not make the mistake of thinking it will be easy against Iran and Bosnia & Herzegovina.”

Aad de Mos, who worked with the Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi when they both won titles at Anderlecht, believes his former player’s experience will be vital because “the pressure of the World Cup is such that only those who have experienced it before as players or coaches can handle it properly”.

“Every team will take Nigeria seriously,” he said. “They know Nigeria won the U-17 World Cup, they know this current team will arrive as African Champions, they know about Stephen Keshi himself and so will analyse everything by video and be prepared for Nigeria”

Aad de Mos retired from club coaching but is now a regular Champions League pundit on both Belgian and Holland TV stations.

He believes the “the opening game is the key. Win that match and Nigeria might have one leg in the next round”.

As a man who loves to talk football tactics, he spoke on how Nigeria and Stephen Keshi should plan for Lionel Messi and Argentina.

He thinks it is a simple task.

“First of all, you should look for the weak point of Argentina. That is their defence at this time. Focus must not be on Messi. The plan is to stop the balls from getting to Messi. Destroy the lines to Messi. All the lines. Put up high pressure on the Argentine defence so that the passing and the ball is not transited to Messi, Higuain and Di Maria. High pressure,” he said.

To play such a high pressure game like that, players have to be at their top level of physical condition.

“That is what the game is about now. High intensity pressing game all over the pitch like Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, Chile and even Bayern Munich. Expect to have it at the World cup too,” he said.

Aad de Mos has a final tip for Keshi: “Get the videos of Atletico Madrid’s matches, get Salzburg of Austria’s DVDs too. These two teams have the way the game is going now”.

Follow me on twitter as @CalvinEmeka