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The Super Eagles are feeling confident ahead of today’s friendly against World Cup-bound Jordan, despite being forced to make at least three changes to their starting XI following their victory over Iran at the weekend.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye suffered a thigh injury during training and will be replaced by Francis Uzoho for today’s match, while both Bruno Onyemaechi and Semi Ajayi were given permission to leave the field to attend to personal matters.
Onyemaechi will most likely be replaced by FC Porto full-back Zaidu Sanusi, while Emmanuel Fenernadez or Chibuike Nwaiwu will partner Igho Ogbu in central defence.
New recruits Yira Sor and Philip Otele, both wingers, are also expected to make their debut today.
The Super Eagles emerged with a 2-1 victory over Team Melli at Corendon Airlines Park on Friday night, but will face World Cup debutant Jordan, who are no longer the paperweights they used to be considered, with a team that has come a long way and despite being 64th in the current FIFA rankings.
They have only lost one of their last five games, a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
On the other hand, Al-Nashama beat Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, and drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in a vibrant match on Friday.
Both Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon mark a century of international caps for Nigeria. Iwobi is set to win his 98th cap, while Moses Simon awaits his 97th appearance for the country.
The Super Eagles remain undefeated in regulation time in their last five matches, including a penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the third-place match of the African Cup of Nations and wins over Algeria, Mozambique and Iran.
Nigeria and Jordan have only met twice before at international level, with shared honors.
Goals from Emeka Akueme and Chukwudi Nworgu gave Nigeria a 2-0 lead in the LG Cup opener in Lagos in April 2004, while Hatem Aqel scored from a penalty to give Jordan a 1-0 win in a friendly in Amman in October 2013.
Today’s start is at 6:30 p.m.
