TheCable

Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella named his provisional 30-man squad for the FIFA World Cup and Carlos Tevez, whose excellent form for Italian champions Juventus this season, failed to earn him a recall.

Sabella, who has until June 2 to decide on his final 23 players, opted to allow star player Lionel Messi to play in the role he plays to high effect at Barcelona – which did not allow for Tevez to be part of his plans.

Argentina, who won the last of their two World Cups in 1986, have been drawn in Group F with Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria, Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

At USA 1994, 2002 and 2010, Argentina were drawn in the same group with Nigeria.

Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Omeruo, is looking forward to the fourth edition of this tie that is becoming a rivalry.

“I’m really looking forward to the game against Argentina,” he told FIFA.com.

“We will try as much as possible to keep a clean sheet. It will be difficult but we have to do that. They are the best players in the world and we have to show our quality by standing up to them. We will first of all have to make sure we get maximum points from the first two games.”

On how he would keep Messi at bay, Omeruo responded that he had been conducting some research on his Group F opponent.

“I watch him a lot on TV. It’s going to be a team effort to try and stop him. Everyone will have to be positive and 100 per cent focused on the game.”

With Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero all potentially lining up for La Albiceleste, the Nigerian backline will have to be particularly attentive.

Omeruo’s relationship with his central defensive partner, and his coach who played in the same position during his career, should make that task easier.

“I do have a good friendship with Godfrey Oboabona off the pitch, we talk on Skype sometimes,” he said.

“Before the national team I used to play with him in the Nigerian league with Sunshine Stars.

“Most times before games Stephen Keshi gives us both separate advice. He tries to psyche us up as much as possible. As well as that, he is a father who advises us. He’s a really good man to play under.”

Argentina squad
Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Catania/ITA), Sergio Romero (Monaco/FRA), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: Lisandro Lopez (Getafe/ESP), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan/ITA), Federico Fernandez (Napoli/ITA), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/ENG), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica/POR), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Jose Basanta (Monterrey/MEX), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro/BRA), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City/ENG), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/ESP), Jose Sosa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo/ESP), Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan/ITA), Lucas Biglia (Lazio/ITA), Ever Banega (Newell’s Old Boys), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica/POR), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania/ITA)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid/ESP), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan/ITA), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli/ITA), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City/ENG), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris SG/FRA), Franco Di Santo (Werder Bremen/GER)