³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Thanks to Lars Lagerback, we have always known this country has got talent and all that needs to be done is harness it.

Yesterday everything was against the Super Eagles, from shabby preparation to the changing of the technical crew just few months to the World Cup. The team had forgotten how to go all out for a win.

All these things were added to the prospect of lining up against a team whose players are arguably the best in the world at the moment - constituting a task with a well-known outcome.

But the 1-0 defeat gives us hope, buttresses our point that the problem with the super Eagles isn't really with the players, as Amodu Shuaibu made us to believe, but the NFF who can do nothing right.

As expected, Argentina did not disappoint. It was only a matter of when they would start tearing us apart, and not if they would.

The early exchanges were scary. I was already on my knees praying we shouldn't concede just yet - though I knew we would soon. My thinking was that, if we concede late in the game, we could keep the scoreline narrow.

The defence panicked every time Messi got hold of the ball, and it became widespread. The Argentines sensed it and they kept the pressure on.

But for spectacular saves from Vincent Enyeama, who deserves to be playing in England, the first half would have ended 0-4 Argentina.

The biochemistry graduate seemed to have a special chemistry with Lionel Messi, and was the only reason the world's best player's day was not entirely fulfilled.

When the goal came, it did not surprise anyone, for it is not news when a lion confronts a sheep. But is big news when a sheep confronts a lion.

The Super Eagles responded in a way that made us all proud. The fans are usually happy when the team loses gallantly which was the case yesterday.

For the first time since 1994, we now believe that we have a team that can only get better. If we can play so well against a team like Argentina, Greece and South Korea should watch out.

The only problem I saw, apart from unnecessary panicking, was the poor marksmanship by Yakubu in particular. The second half showed that Argentina can be beaten. We created excellent chances but failed to take them.

To get through to the next round, South Korea and Greece have to fall to us, and that's not negotiable - which also calls for starting the next two games with our best players.

Osaze Odeweinge has remained Nigeria's best player for about three years. Incidentally, he is also the reigning Nigerian Player of The Year.

Lars Lagerback's tactic of leaving him on the bench proves even he was scared. Osaze, Obafemi Martins and Uche should all start.

I hope the new-found confidence rubs off on the coach too.

If you would like to be a guest blogger for World Cup Have Your Say, post on our blog or email worldhaveyoursay@bbc.com.