International Friendly: Super Eagles ready to test might against Pharaohs

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in an international friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium today (Tuesday).

The three-time Africa Champions defeated Seychelles 3-1 to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations last week Friday and will be using the game against the host of the bi-annual tournament as a warm-up match.

Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr had on Monday during a media parley expressed his desire to have the game moved from 4.pm owing to the humid weather in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and that has been granted following the confirmation by the official broadcast station for the friendly via a tweet.

The Super Eagles were unconvincing against their unfancied counterparts, but still managed a 3-1 win, and Ahmed Musa, has warned the Pharaohs to expect an improved performance.

“We are going to play an improved game against Egypt. It was a tough game for us against Seychelles because the pitch is not too good if we compare it with the type of pitch we use at our various club,” Musa is quoted as saying.

“We will lift our game because we know that this is the final friendly game window before the preparations for the AFCON will start proper.”

“We spoke to ourselves after the disappointment of the World Cup in Russia and we have not lost any game since then.”

Meanwhile, Pharaohs are without their star player Mohamed Salah for the tie in Asaba but Kasimpasa winger Mahmoud Trezeguet and Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny led a youthful team that features home-based players to Nigeria.

Egypt National Team assistant coach Michel Salgado has insisted on the importance of the friendly game against Nigeria, considering it a tough challenge for the Pharaohs.

”Nigeria are one of the strongest African teams, and they are favourites yo go far in the African Cup of Nations,” Salgado spoke to OnSport.

”The game against Nigeria will a tough test and a huge challenge for us, also it is a chance for the new and young players to prove they deserve the chance to play for the national team,” Salgado said.