Messi, an Exceptional Player, Says Keshi

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi admits Lionel Messi’s class is unquantifiable after the star’s Man-of-the-Match performance consigned his side to a second-place finish in the group stage of the World Cup.

The Super Eagles progressed to the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years, despite losing their final Group F game 3-2 to Argentina in Porto Alegre.

The Africans were nonetheless never found wanting as CSKA winger Ahmed Musa came up with the response needed for a Messi brace, but the two-time champions topped the group after winning three out of three of their matches, thanks to Marcos Rojo’s winner.

Super Eagles Celebrate Ahmed Musa Second Goal.
Super Eagles Celebrate Ahmed Musa Second Goal.

“I think there are other players in the Argentina squad who are very strong but Messi if from Jupiter,” said the 52-year-old ex-Nigeria international, who became the first African to take an African team to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

The Barcelona forward netted a thunderous opener in the third minutes of kick-off, after arriving on time to meet an Angel Di Maria effort which rebounded the woodwork.

Musa immediately cut ‘La Albisceste’s’ celebration short by curling home a superb effort from the left area from Michael Babatunde’s pass.

Both strikes came in the first five minutes- the first time in the history of the World Cup that two opposing teams had scored in such succession.

Messi helped Alejandro Sabella’s men climb ahead again in first-half stoppage time, moments after drawing an exceptional save from goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama with an exceptional free-kick.

The four-time Fifa Player of the Year struck the deadball so good it evaded the Eagles wall and caught the Lille Metropole shot-stopper flat footed. It was Messi’s fourth goal in three matches and from thirteen shots on target.

Messi Celebrates After Getting Argentina In Ascendancy.
Messi Celebrates After Getting Argentina In Ascendancy.

“Messi is one heck of a player,” Keshi added. You can’t take that away from him. He’s blessed.”

The African champions cranked up the system upfront early into the second-half and Musa again proved what Messi can do, he can, as well; slotting the ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero following a one-two combination with Emmanuel Emenike.

Enyeama Pokes Fun at Messi Following a Goal-Area Ball Situation.
Enyeama Pokes Fun at Messi Following a Goal-Area Ball Situation.

Enyeama, twice averted Di Maria’s threat but was beaten again, when Rojo used his knee to knock in a corner from the right.

Marcos Rojo Celebrates After Scoring the Winning Goal for Argentina.
Marcos Rojo Celebrates After Scoring the Winning Goal for Argentina.

Keshi expressed satisfaction with his team’s movement up-front in the second period of the encounter in his post match briefing.

He said: “We gave too much respect to the Argentines and did not play our game in the first-half. We played a bit more aggressive in the second-half. Congratulations to the Argentina team, I wish them all the best in the tournament.”

Elsewhere, Bosnia thrashed Iran 3-1 to ensure there was no late twist to Nigeria runners-up placement. The Africans join Argentina into the last-16.

Argentina are likely to meet either Ecuador or Switzerland, while Nigeria face the winners of Group E in the next round- most likely France.