By Uzor Odikpo
Super Eagles of Nigeria former Captain Jay Jay Okocha says rather than lament their ouster Argentina should be happy to head home as their defeat by France put an end to further torture.
Okocha, who was assessing the match that produced a total of seven goals, maintained that the Argentine team did not put in 100 percent effort, adding that star player Lionel Messi was not very superb on the day.
“Argentina will be happy going home because the torture for them is over. If the best player in the world cannot save you who else will save you,” he queried.
Okocha, who recalled that Messi had retired from the national team in the past, added that he would not be surprised if the Barcelona ace and five- time Balloon d’Or winner retires again from the national team.
The Nigerian former international pointed out that a team cannot win without playing as a team.
He observed that although Argentina boasts of fantastic individual players, they needed to work as a team to win a tournament.
Argentina recently sent Nigeria packing after the Super Eagles who needed just a draw to zoom into round of 16 failed to convert their chances, losing the tie at the Saint Petersburg 2-1 with Messi scoring one of the goals and Marcos Rojo scoring the other.
Nigeria’s only goal in the match was a penalty converted by Victor Moses in the 51st minute.
