TheCable

Almeria of Spain’s young midfielder Ramon Azeez says he is fit and if chosen is ready for the Argentina match.

“I play in Spain I have come up against Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria and a few of the other Spain-based contingent of the Argentine team so there is nothing for me to fear,” he said.

Azeez was one of the players who made a late surge into the national team reckoning, getting picked in the final 23-man squad and starting the first group match against Iran.

A tight hamstring made him unavailable for the win against Bosnia-Herzegovina that restored hope of progress in the tournament.

Nigeria play Argentina in their last group match on Wednesday, knowing they only need to avoid defeat to progress into the second round for the first time since France 1998 tournament.

The players looked in high spirits as they waved to the handful of fans at their Holiday Inn Hotel lounge, as they made their way to their rooms after dinner.

Coach Stephen Keshi eventually made his way to the lobby and was mobbed by fans who wanted to take photographs with him.

Heavy rain with thunderstorm seemed to have scuppered a rumoured plan by about 8000 Argentine fans set off fireworks at the hotel to disturb the sleep of the players.

Iran fans had come to the Eagles hotel in Curitiba before the first group game, chanting songs before the local police moved them away.

Porto Alegre was being filled with Argentine fans, who did not appear friendly.

One of the locals attached to the Nigerian team, who did not want to be named, warned that “they (Argentine fans) are not very nice people, do not interact peacefully with other fans and should Nigeria win, I fear there will be trouble.”