Three-pointer Nigeria know they cannot afford any slip-up in the current international window if they are to keep their campaign on track for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to be jointly-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

 

The Super Eagles came from behind to defeat Madagascar’s Barea at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium on 25 September, but then suffered a 0-3 reverse against Guinea Bissau four days later to put their chances of a spot in the finals on the wire.

 

However, earning the maximum six points against Tanzania – in Uyo on Friday and in Zanzibar on Tuesday – would re-ignite high hopes of a place in the Pamoja finals, depending on how Madagascar cope against Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs in their own quickfire-double.     

 

Head Coach Éric Chelle and Captain Wilfred Ndidi have reiterated the need for the three-time African champions to obliterate their loss to Guinea Bissau with a credible six-points grab against the Taifa Stars.

 

“We must work hard in these two matches and do everything to win. It is important to sustain the hope and all the players are in that mood to banish the memory of that defeat to Guinea Bissau and show their true quality.

 

“The spirit in camp is high and everyone is focused on achieving victory in both matches,” Chelle said.

 

Former junior international Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene provide exciting options for Coach Chelle at the rear, while the presence of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Samson Tijani and Tochukwu Nnadi could mean a fresh-look midfield for the Super Eagles.  

 

The Super Eagles will again be without ace forward Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury in a Turkish league game with his club Galatasaray, days before Chelle unveiled his roster for the two matches. 

 

In his absence, the Franco-Malian tactician will most likely rely on the combined strength of Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman, Italy-based Akor Adams and Ajax Amsterdam of The Netherlands’ Tolu Arokodare, who has netted 13 goals across the Dutch League and the UEFA Conference League this season.

 

Veteran Moses Simon, who plays his club football in France like Tanzania’s most experienced and dreaded striker Mbwana Samatta, is one of the on-field marshals that Nigeria will look to for inspiration on Friday. 

 

Simon Msuva, Selemani Mwalimu and Bernard Kamungo are the other aces that Taifa Stars’ Argentine Coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi will rely on to deliver at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

 

After Friday’s encounter, both teams will again square up to each other on Tuesday, 17^th November at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, which is part of Tanzania.

 

EAGLES FOR THE DOUBLE AGAINST TAIFA STARS

 

Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa) 

 

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia)

 

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague, Czechia)

 

Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)