All players, coaches and backroom staff in the Super Eagles’ camp have gone through mandatory coronavirus tests, in a bid to ensure they are fit and healthy to participate in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone, megasportsarena.com reports.
As is now the trend during these days of the coronavirus pandemic, Eagles’ players and officials undertook the mandatory COVID-19 tests on Wednesday, with results expected on Thursday, after which coach of the side, Gernot Rohr will have a clear knowledge of all players available for selection this Friday.
With the maximum six points from their first two matches of the campaign, three ahead of second-placed Benin Republic who square up to Lesotho, the Eagles will be sure of a spot in the Draw for the finals in Cameroon if they earn all the points at stake against the Leone Stars.
A year ago, at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Eagles survived a scare as The Squirrels of Benin Republic scored to take the lead inside five minutes of kick off, but Victor Osimhen leveled from the spot just before half time and Samuel Kalu slotted in the winner off a solo effort in the second period.
Days later, the Eagles again fell behind against Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Maseru, before goals by Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze as well as a brace by Osimhen, one from the penalty spot, edged the Eagles ahead of their hosts.
Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa and his deputy, William Troost-Ekong sang similar tunes as Coach Rohr in previewing the two encounters with the Leone Stars, saying the players are hungry for victory in both games as they want to assure an early spot in Cameroon.
After losing one and drawing the other in their first two matches of the qualification series, Coach John Keister and wards will look to make life difficult for the Super Eagles at a massively –upgraded Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Friday evening.
Kenya’s Peter Waweru Kamaku will be the centre referee, with his compatriots Gilbert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (assistant referee 1), Tony Mudanyi Kidiya (assistant referee 2) and Anthony Juma Ogwayo (fourth official) also on duty, while Solomon Gebreselassie Abebe from Ethiopia is the match commissioner and Attama Ibrahim Boureima from Niger Republic the referee assessor.
After Friday’s encounter, the Eagles will fly to Freetown on Monday for Tuesday’s reverse fixture at Siaka Stevens Stadium, where the Nigerians will aim to maintain their domination over The Leone Stars, who have not had the upper hand against their fellow-West African Anglophone rivals since defeating them in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Freetown 19 years ago.
The last time they met was an international friendly at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, which the Nigerian side won with Samson Yebowei Siasia in charge as coach back in 2011, three years after new assistant coach of the side, Joseph Yobo scored the only goal that gave Nigeria victory away in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010 World Cup.
