Roland Andersson has said that young midfielder Haruna Lukman is likely to start against Argentina when the Super Eagles open their World Cup campaign.

The Monaco midfielder has played in all three friendly games under Lars Lagerback and Andersson, who is Lagerback's right hand man, says he has made a strong case for a starting position.

"Yes, of course he can start, but we will see what happens. He has showed already that he is a good player. He is young and he develops more and more every day."

Lukman's vision and eye for the pass has led to comparisons with Nigeria great Austin Okocha. Andersson agrees, but says the Under-17 World Cup winner still has years ahead of him to reach that level.

"You can’t compare him to Okocha already now, but in the future he has the opportunity to become as good as Okocha was. But only if he works hard. He has to work on his defense and make sure he improves."

The youngster's position has been strengthened by the withdrawal of John Mikel Obi from the Super Eagles squad due to injury, but Lukman insists that he is his own man.

"I don’t see myself as a replacement for Mikel. We have the same style of playing, but Mikel is injured and has gone home.

"I am looking forward to the game against Argentina. It is football and everything can happen. I think we can play a very good game."

Nigeria play Argentina on June 12 at Ellis Park.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/15961/lukman-to-get-argentina-start.php

lagerback please put 2 defensive midfilders in front of lukman.

12large:

lagerback please put 2 defensive midfilders in front of lukman.

snakova:

"I don’t see myself as a replacement for Mikel. We have the same style of playing, but Mikel is injured and has gone home.

LOL, As if to say "ah well, fVck him''. HAHA

12large:

lagerback please put 2 defensive midfilders in front of lukman.

Hurr

seriously if we want to keep this match right haruna lukman must play attacking midfield alone,2 defensive midfilders must protect him. playing keita on the right is waste my formation would be

enyeama


odiah afolabi adeleye taiwo


keita etuhu

lukman

osaze obinna

martins/yakubu

the key to this game is the midfield and lukman. first we should hope he does not get sent off

12large:

seriously if we want to keep this match right haruna lukman must play attacking midfield alone,2 defensive midfilders must protect him. playing keita on the right is waste my formation would be

                                              enyeama


                        odiah         afolabi    adeleye    taiwo


                                     keita       etuhu

                                           lukman

                     osaze                                 obinna

                                  martins/yakubu

the key to this game is the midfield and lukman. first we should hope he does not get sent off

Not bad. . .your formation make sense small but I was expecting to see the two defensive midfielders in front of Lukman. E be like se you don dey get sense small small

its like you people dont understand. lagerback is going to use 4-4-2 not 4-3-3 or whatever else you think he will do.

he used 4-4-2 for ALL three friendly matches so i dont hink he will change his mind

you guys are stupid you clearly know that i mean't lukman must not play as a dm

lmao 2 dm's in front of lukman

12large:

you guys are silly you clearly know that i mean't lukman must not play as a dm

na wa 4 u o. If Lukman, our only attacking midfieder plays as a DM, where do we use our natural DMs-Etuhu, Ayila or Kaita? who plays attacking midfield?

jarus you are an idiot, your trying to annoy me, i told you guys that i mean't to say lukman must play attacking midfield but you want to switch topic. why would i suggest lukman to play in front of 2dms i mean't it like this

keita etuhu

lukman

and yet i remember when you rained down fire and brimstone on anyone who suggested the use of two DM's. SHAME ON YOU

yes i did because argentina were going to play 442 but after arge game we must go back and attack because for me 2 defensive md plus 4 defenders is anti-football

^^^^ I see this loony all over the map. . .thinking he knows everything? Next time, apply for the coaching job cos I am tired for internet armchair coaches, especially clueless ones insulting everyone!

12large:

seriously if we want to keep this match right haruna lukman must play attacking midfield alone,2 defensive midfilders must protect him. playing keita on the right is waste my formation would be

enyeama


odiah afolabi adeleye taiwo


keita etuhu

lukman

osaze obinna

martins/yakubu

the key to this game is the midfield and lukman. first we should hope he does not get sent off

Nice. But Lagerbeer seems pretty much disposed to a shittu/yobo pairing at CD. Dont mind semiu

In 2002, it was Bath Ogbeche, then Argentina exposed him and the mundial swallowed him. Now it is L.Haruna. Let us learn from the past.

andre uweh your a fool, idiots like you don't want youth to grow. people like you would rather play olofinjana,etuhu,ayila instaed of lukman your just a slowpoke. just look at the way lukman have played and an idiot wants us to bench him for those useless dms

12large:

andre uweh your a fool, idiots like you don't want youth to grow. people like you would rather play olofinjana,etuhu,ayila instaed of lukman your just a slowpoke. just look at the way lukman have played and an wants us to bench him for those useless dms

Monkey, why not go back to the zoo and play with your fellow infuriating deliquent monkeys rather than insulting all comers here. Get lost, you mystical beast.