We are up to the task - Kanu

NIGERIA captain Nwankwo Kanu said on Wednesday that the Super Eagles have the ability to upstage the apple cart at this year’s FIFA World Cup finals.

Football’s biggest extravaganza comes round on Friday with an elaborate opening ceremony planned for the Soccer City, Africa’s biggest football stadium with a seating capacity of nearly 95,000. Kanu said the cynics are in for a huge shock.

“Argentina have the big-name players and everyone respects them. We also acknowledge they are good and great players. But Argentina also have the same respect for us because they know the quality of our team and know that there is plenty that we can come up with at anytime.

“Yes, it will be tough but I believe we can overcome on the day. It is the World Cup and things do happen.”

The 33 –year old Nigeria leader has played three times previously against Argentina in global tournaments, winning on two occasions. He was a member of the Nigeria U-17 team that dismantled Argentina on the way to lifting the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan in 1993, and then captained the U-23 to beat Argentina to Olympic football gold in Atlanta three years later.

But back in Japan, in 2002, Kanu and Eagles fell 0-1 to Argentina in Ibaraki in their first match at the World Cup.

“You know, it is always very close anytime we play them at the top level. It is either 2-1 or 1-0. I expect that on Saturday, it would also be close, but victory will be Nigeria’s”, added Kanu.

On his own personal target for the World Cup, in which he will participating for the third time, Kanu stated: “You know, African countries have always found it difficult at this top level. The best we’ve been able to achieve was quarter final by Cameroon in 1990 and by Senegal in 2002.

“If an African country, that is, Nigeria gets to the semi finals or Final this year, I will be fulfilled”.

At an informal meeting with the Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Ibrahim Isah Bio on Wednesday, Kanu praised the efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation for the preparation and welfare of the team, saying: “I know what I am saying. I have been in the national team for a long time and I know what used to obtain in our camp. The present NFF deserves commendation”.

He also lauded Technical Adviser Lars Lagerback for returning discipline and commitment to the team, while Lagerback also praised the players for their co-operation and dedication to the assignment at hand.