Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia: Match Preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia In an International Friendly game. SportsRation presents the match preview.

MATCH DETAILS

Type: International Friendly

Venue: Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portugal

Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

Kick-off Time: 5pm

ABOUT THE MATCH

Jose Peseiro tutored Nigeria Super Eagles Head into the game in search of a fourth consecutive win, while Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia are hoping to avoid a seventh defeat in a row.

Whereas, Nigeria’s last International engagement was a resounding 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe, the Arabian Falcon’s last game ended in a 1-0 defeat against South Korea at St. James’ Park, their sixth consecutive loss.

The Saudi Arabian’s did strike shock spells around the World with a 2022 FIFA World Cup win over eventual Champions, Argentina but since then, a lot has gone wrong for the Middle East nation’s men’s Football team.

Their last win came against Yemen in the Gulf Cup of Nations fixture in January 2023, a negative streak Roberto Mancini’s men will look to halt when they face Nigeria on Friday.

Their hope is helped by Nigeria’s poor form in friendly matches as they lost their last three friendly games, with the last one coming against Portugal before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

TEAM NEWS

As at the time of this match preview, 24 Invited Super Eagles players are in Portugal for the game.

Jose Peseiro was forced into handing four late call-ups due to Injuries. Nottingham Forest duo, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina, both withdrew from the squad and were duly replaced by Sadiq Umar and Tyronne Ebuehi respectively.

Chidozie Awaziem replaced Jamiu Collins while Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will return to the Super Eagles squad for the Saudi, Mozambique friendlies in place of Israel based Adebayo Adeleye.

For the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia, Italian manager, Roberto Mancini has called-up 31 players for the October 2023 International break.

Bulk of the Saudi Arabian squad are drawn Al Hilal which received 12 Invitations, including skipper Salman Al-Faraj.

PREDICTED STARTING XI 

Nigeria: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Bassey, Torunarigha, Ebuehi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Chukwueze; Osimhen, Boniface.

Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Al-Shahrani, Al-Tambakti, Al-Boleahi, Al-Ghannam; Kanno, Al-Khaibari, N.Al-Dawsari; S.Al-Dawsari, Ghareeb, Al-Shehri