The Super Eagles are confident going into today’s friendly against World Cup-bound Jordan even though they have been forced to make at least three changes to their starting XI from the victory over Iran from the weekend.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye suffered a thigh injury in training and so will be replaced by Francis Uzoho for today’s match, while both Bruno Onyemaechi and Semi Ajayi were granted permission to leave camp to attend to personal issues.
Onyemaechi will most likely be replaced by FC Porto fullback Zaidu Sanusi, while either Emmanuel Fenernadez or Chibuike Nwaiwu will partner Igho Ogbu in central defence.
Fresh call-ups Yira Sor and Philip Otele, who are both wingers, will also be expected to make their debuts today.
The Super Eagles have been lifted by the 2-1 victory over Team Melli at the Corendon Airlines Park Friday evening, but they will be up against World Cup debutants Jordan, who are no longer the paperweights they used to be considered as, with the squad having evolved greatly, and despite sitting at 64th in the current FIFA ranking.
They have lost only one of their last five matches, which was a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
On the other hand, Al-Nashama have beaten Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, and drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in a pulsating encounter Friday.
Both Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon on a century of caps for Nigeria. Iwobi is set to win his 98th cap, while Moses Simon is eyeing his 97th appearance for the country.
The Super Eagles remain unbeaten in regulation time in their past five matches, including a penalty shootout defeat of Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations’ third-place match, and wins over Algeria, Mozambique and Iran.
Nigeria and Jordan have met only twice previously at full international level, with honours shared.
Goals by Emeka Akueme and Chukwudi Nworgu earned Nigeria a 2-0 in a LG Cup opener in Lagos in April 2004, while Hatem Aqel scored from the penalty spot to give Jordan a 1-0 win in a friendly in Amman in October 2013.
Kick-off today is 6.30pm.
