Super Eagles shift focus to AFCON qualifiers as CAF names officials for the Sierra Leone match
Following two consecutive defeats to Mexico (2-1) and Ecuador (1-0) in an international friendly games in America last week, the three times African Champions will be playing host to Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on Thursday in their first game for the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.
The team started out their training session in Abuja on Sunday with 24 players of the 27 invited attending the session under the watchful eyes of Jose Paseiro while they expect Abdullahi Shehu, Calvin Bassey and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo to join the fray for the Monday workouts.
The Portuguese will be looking forward to make a bold statement and gives Nigerians a positive impression of his prowess as he set out to take the Country to the 20th appearance at the Nations Cup.
Katsina United’s Sani Faisal and Akwa United’s Adewale Adeyinka were the only two home based players who make the list for the assignments.
Fireworks and impressive performance are expected from the Eagles from the game billed for MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday evening in Abuja.
However, the team will have day rest before hitting the air on Saturday to Marrakech for the Day 2 game against São Tomé and Príncipe that will take place on Monday, 13th June.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Ivorian officials to take charge of Thursday’s encounter in Abuja, with Ibrahim Kalilou Traore as referee. His compatriots Adou Desire N’goh, Nouhou Ouattara and Kouassi Francois Biro will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Moukaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be match commissioner while Serge Paulin Samuel from Burkina Faso will serve as referee assessor.