Sports
Eagles face Algeria today in dead rubber World Cup qualifier
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, currently in Constantine after a three-day training in Rabat, are set to play the Fennecs of Algeria in an inconsequential 2018 World Cup qualifier.
The Nigerian team have already secured their place in the FIFA tournament, but will approach the game as part of preparations ahead of the finals in Russia.
A couple of regular faces in the team will not be fielded in the game, the Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has confirmed.
While injury has kept out Elderson Echiejile, Victor Moses, Mikel Agu, Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi and Moses Simon, team captain, John Mikel Obi will be rested ahead of Argentina clash on November 14.
“I will rest Mikel for Friday’s game but he will be ready for the game against Argentina,” Rohr told reporters, citing the midfielder’s lateness to the training camp as a reason.
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Rohr also confirmed that new members of the team, including young goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, will get a chance to play.
“He (Uzoho) will get his chance to play just like others who did not get much playing time during the qualifiers,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Eagles top the Group B on 13 points, six points ahead of second-placed Zambia, while Cameroon and Algeria are on 6 and 1 points respectively.
The match will be played at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in the Algerian city, and will kick off by 8.30 p.m.
The Eagles will then leave for Russia on Saturday, where they play Argentina in an international friendly next Tuesday.
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