Eagles’ Constantine camp erupts as Nigeria prepares for its test against Algeria

• Prior to Tuesday’s match with the Fennecs, Nigeria competes against Algeria’s B squad.

With the entrance of the last two players, Francis Uzoho and Ebube Duru, to the Super Eagles’ camp in Constantine yesterday, Nigeria’s effort to retain its recent domination over Algeria gained a significant boost.

The 2019 African champions, who, like Nigeria, did not make it to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, are the opponents in the international friendly that the Super Eagles are preparing for in the Algerian capital.

To fill in for the injured Leon Balogun, Rivers United’s left defender Duru was invited. He was unable to go with the domestic team due of a CAF Champions League matchup with Rivers United in Liberia.

In addition to Balogun, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reports that squad captain Ahmed Musa, forwards Henry Onyekuru and Samuel Chukwueze, as well as forward Balogun, are all injured and will not play in the match.

The NFF reported: “Coach José Santos Peseiro has given the go-ahead for the three-time African champions to play a pre-season exhibition game against Algeria’s ‘B’ team on Saturday to watch a number of new and returning players in action before the official match against the Fennecs (Algeria’s ‘A’ team) in Oran on Tuesday night.

“The formal game on Tuesday will begin at 8 p.m., with the encounter against Algeria’s ‘B’ team beginning at 5.30 on Saturday.”

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Kevin Akpoguma, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and striker Chidera Ejuke are all making their long-awaited comebacks to the team, while Godwin Saviour and Richard Onyedika are joining the big boys for the first time.

Adeleye Adebayo, a goalkeeper from Israel, was a member of the team for the AFCON qualifying matches this summer against Sao Tome & Principe and Sierra Leone, although he did not play.

The Super Eagles and Fennecs will only meet once in a friendly, in October 2020, when the Super Eagles, the two-time African champions, narrowly defeated the Fennecs in Austria.

In September 2005, the Super Eagles defeated both sides 5-2 in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match that took place in Oran.

Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, and Adeleye Adebayo are the goalkeepers on the team, along with William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Kevin Akpoguma, Valentine Ozornwafor, and Ebube Duru, who play as defenders.

Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Richard Onyedika play as midfielders while Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Godwin Saviour, Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ejuke, Cyriel Dessers, and Terem Moffi are the team’s strikers.

Miniechat

See author's posts