Super Eagles Step Into The Unknown
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Nigeria’s highly fancied Super Eagles step into the unknown, as they take on Mozambique on Sunday in their opening game of the final phase of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria will be without key personnel for the match, including captain Joseph Yobo and striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Also set to miss the match is newly capped Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, who has been one of the stars this season in the German Bundesliga surprise package Hoffenheim.
There is also concern over the health of midfielder John Obi Mikel, who has a bout of flu.
But the Eagles will still take a talent laded squad into the Group B encounter in Maputo where they will be up against a highly motivated local side.
"I’m not bothered. We have better players and better psychology than Mozambique," said Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu.
Nigeria are preparing for the qualifier in Nelspruit, just across the South Africa border from Mozambique.
Amodu will be hoping to have his squad assembled as quickly as possible to ensure adequate time to prepare for a difficult game.
Mozambique will be hoping for passionate support from some 60 000 at the Machava stadium for the impetus to pull off a shock result.
Coach Mart Nooij insists that his team have a good record against other top teams, having drawing recently in Maputo with the likes of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
