Dhaka awaits Messi magic today

Both the Argentina and Nigerian football teams reached Dhaka Monday to play a FIFA international friendly football match this (Tuesday) evening in the country's premier sports venue -- Bangabandhu National Stadium, reports UNB. The country's biggest ever and high-voltage soccer festival, 'Beximco Football Fest', between world soccer giant Argentina and African Super Eagles Nigeria kicks off at 6:30 pm today. Satellite TV channel, 'Independent Television', will telecast the match live while state-owned Bangladesh Television will televise the recorded version of the match later. Two-times World champions Argentina team led by majestic footballer Lionel Messi, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:05 am. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials, current and former national footballers greeted the 47-member popular Argentina team at the airport on their arrival from Kolkata in a Bangladesh Biman flight. They, escorted by police cars, headed straight to the Rupashi Bangla Hotel from the airport. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the airport to welcome Messi and his team. The Argentine team reached Rupashi Bangla Hotel at 12:10 pm where BFF officials, players of Bangladesh National Women's Football team and well-dressed cheerleaders welcomed them with flowers. The Argentine team includes star footballers like Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid, Javier Mascherano of Barcelona FC and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City apart from the most celebrated footballer of recent times Messi. A 46-member Nigerian team, which upset Argentina by 4-1 goals at home recently, also arrived in the capital at 3:30 pm Monday to play the high-profile match Argentina after playing a match against Madagascar. BFF Officials, current and former national booters welcome them at the airport.