Super Eagles kick off preparations for Costa Rica friendly

The two former continental champions clash in the United States next week in one of Nigeria’s last two matches of the year

The Super Eagles have begun preparations for the international friendly match between the three-time African champions and Costa Rica scheduled for San Jose on November 10.

Nigeria national team head coach Jose Peseiro is yet to release the squad list for what is potentially the first-ever international game between the Super Eagles and Costa Rica.

But the Super Eagles camp opened in Ibadan on Monday, with national team assistant coach Salisu Yusuf present alongside 15 home-based players.

Coach Yusuf also doubles as the head coach of the Olympic Eagles.

And the veteran tactician opted to retain in the Ibadan camp some of the Dream Team players that defeated Tanzania 2-0 in an Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifier at the weekend.

The home-based selected players are expected to be joined by some foreign-based Super Eagles contingent before the San Jose friendly.

While it is a mere friendly encounter for Nigeria, the match will serve as a tune-up game for Costa Rica ahead of their participation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later in November.

Nigeria did not qualify for the Mundial after falling at the last hurdle to eternal rivals Ghana.

Full list of Players in camp

Mustapha Jibril (Abia Warriors),
Alex Jerry (Lobi Stars),
Garba Suleiman (Kebbi United),
Samuel Kalu (Enyimba),
Isaiah Ejieh (Mjallby),
Afeez Nosir (Kwara United),
Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC),
Paul Samson (Kwara United),
Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars),
Sunday Faleye (Unattached FC),
Edidiong Ezekiel (Remo Stars),
Bamayi Calocho (Yum-Yum FC),
Evans Ogbonda (Akwa United),
Dominion Ohaka (Water FC).