Super Eagles, is set to face off against Mozambique in an international friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira on Monday. This match follows their recent encounter with Saudi Arabia, where both teams played to an exciting 2-2 draw, leaving the Super Eagles eager to redeem themselves.
The friendly against Saudi Arabia was a nail-biter, with Nigeria missing several chances in the first half. Despite falling behind in the hour mark, the Super Eagles made a stunning comeback, securing a lead in just eight minutes. However, a late deflected free-kick by Saudi Arabia denied Nigeria their long-awaited victory.
In Mozambique, they will encounter a formidable opponent, currently enjoying a positive streak with six wins in their last seven matches, including victories over Rwanda, Mauritius, and the Benin Republic. Mozambique's ambition to surpass their recent 1-1 draw with Angola and test their preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast adds to the match's intensity.
The encounter against Mozambique will be the first time the Super Eagles face the Mambas since their January 2014 showdown. Nigeria holds a favorable record against Mozambique, winning three out of four meetings, with one draw and no goals conceded.
However, Nigeria will likely miss the services of key players Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho. Osimhen sustained an injury during the Saudi Arabia match, while Iheanacho left camp early for family reasons. This friendly presents an opportunity for head coach Jose Peseiro to reevaluate the team's lineup and make adjustments.
As the Super Eagles take on Mozambique, they aim to showcase their readiness for future competitions, and fans can expect an exciting clash at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira. The match will kick off at 4 pm local time on Monday, October 16, 2023.
Nigeria and Mozambique both have their sights set on upcoming tournaments, with Nigeria participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, while Mozambique faces opponents in Group G. This friendly promises to be an exhilarating contest, with both teams eager to prove their mettle on the international stage
