Nahodha wa Switzerland, Granit Xhaka, ametangaza kwamba timu yake iko tayari kutoa kila kitu ili kumshinda Argentina katika robo-fainali ya FIFA Kombe la Dunia 2026 — na anaamini wana uwezo wa kufika nusu-fainali kwa mara ya kwanza katika miaka 72.

Akizungumza katika mkutano na waandishi wa habari kabla ya mechi Kansas City, Xhaka aliiomba mashabiki wa Switzerland waendelee kuota pamoja na timu.

"Regarding the fans, keep dreaming. I am a person who always dreams, and dreams can come true. And if we want to fulfil our dreams, you need to work, you need to sweat, you need to give it 100 percent. And sometimes you need to do something new. You really need to push your limits if you want to beat Argentina. And I'm convinced my team is ready."

Tatizo la Messi

Xhaka alikubali kwamba kumzuia Lionel Messi kwa dakika 90 hakutakuwa rahisi, lakini alieleza mkakati wazi wa kumkabili nyota huyo wa Argentina.

"I don't know if we can stop him over 90 minutes. It is going to be difficult. However, we have to be very smart. We'll have to be compact, close the gaps, not give him too many spaces. We will try, obviously, to play in position. When we have the ball, he won't be able to act as much."

Nahodha huyo alisisitiza kwamba nia ya kikosi imelenga kufanya historia, akiongeza kwamba njaa ya ushindi na fikira sahihi vitakuwa mambo ya msingi dhidi ya mabingwa wa dunia waliopo madarakani.

"After 72 years, to be able to be here with Switzerland and to play against a reigning champion, it just makes me very proud. But I am not here to talk. I want to take the next steps. And we are very close to the end and I am yearning for it. I am hungry and now we just need to show how much we really want it on the pitch. We are very well prepared and we need to showcase our mentality and I am sure that we can really bother Argentina."

Jinsi Switzerland ilivyofika robo-fainali

Switzerland walipata nafasi yao ya kucheza robo-fainali baada ya ushindi wa kushangaza kwa mapigo ya penati dhidi ya Colombia katika raundi ya 16, na sasa wanakabiliwa na nguvu kubwa ya Amerika Kusini.