Vincent Enyema was on top form for Nigeria but it was not sufficient to get rid of Argentina. Gabriel Heinze’s header was the one and only goal of an interesting game that saw Maradona and his team start with a winner.
After an eight-year absence, Nigeria’s Super Eagles return to the World Cup stage, and their opposition comes no bigger than two-time champions Argentina, led by none else but Lionel Messi.
And the Maradona boys were off to a flying start as the Barcelona wonderkid raised havoc throughout the Nigerian defense inside the first five minutes.
Shortly afterwards, it was Marseille’s Gabriel Heinze who was to disturb Lars Lagerbäck’s plans. 7th minute: Heinze jumps the highest to head home a Veron corner. 1-0 to Argentina, the Super Eagles fail to take off.
The Nigerians failed to raise their game as the minutes went on. The valiant Super Eagles were no match for Messi and his teammates.
The Barcelona midfieldier was on world class form and tested Vincent Enyema, the Nigerian keeper. But Enyema was also in heat as he denied Messi (18′, 36′, 49′, 65′) or Higuain (20′).
Nigeria did their best to fight back with Taiwo (70′), Odemwingie (78′) and Uche (83′) but it was too late. The Super Eagles were no match.
Argentina got their 2010 World Cup campaign off to a winning start and silenced some of their doubters with a dominant performance against Nigeria in Johannesburg.
