The Nigerian national soccer team- the Super Eagles of Nigeria will come November 17th 2010 tackle the Iranian national senior team in an invitational friendly soccer match to be played in Tehran. The match is a tune-up fixture to prepare both teams for a busy international calendar in the coming months.
This will be the first time both teams will be playing at this level, and there is anticipation from soccer fans back in Nigeria about the encounter. The Nigerian soccer authorities have called up several first team players, as requested by the Iranian football association to prosecute the much publicized match.
It will be the last match to be handled by Nigerian interim Coach- Augustine Eguaveon before he formally hands over to the new manager who is expected to be announced in the next few days. The friendly encounter apart from attracting media attention also has two notable features:
Inclusion of six local players
The agitation for more local players to be integrated into the main team has been heeded by Coach Augustine Eguaveon who has decided to give an opportunity to six of these players. Those called up include- Bassey Akpan, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Valentine Nwaebili, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Saka Ayo, Eneji Otekpa. It will be expected that some of these players will have a chance to play a part in the encounter.
Sani Kaita recall
The match will also witness the anticipated return of Sanni Kaita to the national senior team after his unceremonious exit from Nigeria world cup match against Greece at South Africa. Nigerians have not come to terms with his intentional challenge on a Greek player earned him a straight red and ensured the country was beaten by Greece in a must win encounter.
International observers have queried the intention of playing a friendly match with an unfriendly nation, but the political intrigues have been put to rest to allow for both teams to concentrate on making maximum use of the encounter after their woeful performance against Brazil and Guinea in recent encounters.
Experienced defender Joseph Yobo who presently plies his trade with Fenerbahce of Turkey will captain the Nigerian side, while notable absentees will be Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odewengie, Danny Shittu and Chidi Ordia. The squad has also been bolstered with the inclusion of Akabueze Chukwuma who plays for Odd Greenland of Norway. He replaces injured Osaze Odemwegie while Alex Nkume of VVV Venlo of Holland replaces injured local player Wasiu Sowemimo of Ocean boys of Brass, Bayelsa.
Camisetas Juventus Información corporativa y noticias relevantes sobre Driblab, la consultora especializada en análisis deportivos especializada en fútbol.