Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin another quest towards the proverbial rebuilding when they file out against the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.
Failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations was a huge dent on the Eagles pride as Nigeria weren’t able to defend her Afcon title won two years ago at South Africa 2013.
The Cranes of Uganda were a late replacement for Bolivia who withdrew from the friendly citing political and security reasons for their no-show in Nigeria
Nigeria started the year with a loss to the Ivory Coast at the Middle East mini tour but were able to beat Jordan 2-0 to restore some pride
Daniel Amokachi will be in charge for the two friendlies against Uganda and South Africa and the former Club Brugge striker feels it’s time the team get down too the basics and start afresh again.
“We are still in the process of getting a formidable team for Nigeria, as you can see, we have invited a couple of young players who are doing quite well in Europe, we feel they should also get look in,”Amokachi told supersport.com
“The home based players too aren’t left out as we have some new players we want to have a look out. There are a million Nigerian players playing abroad, If you play well, you’ll get invited because work is still in progress.
Nigeria on paper should have no problems dispatching Uganda on home soil, but they will do well to remember the ghosts that haunted them after the 2-2 draw with South Africa in the same stadium that put paid to their 2015 Afcon hopes.
Ranked at number 72 in the World Fifa rankings as against Nigeria’s 42nd placing Uganda will be playing without any pressure, and Nigeria, playing at home for the first time since the Afcon miss, will want to get the confidence of the fans back by winning convincingly on Wednesday evening.
Nigeria warming up in Uyo © shengolpix
Form coming into the game:
Nigeria: W L D W W
Uganda: L W W L L
Previous clashes:
March 1978 Uganda v Nigeria 2-1 African Nations Cup Qualifiers
September 1981 Nigeria v Uganda 0-1 International Friendly
August 1992 Nigeria v Uganda 2-0 African Nations Cup
July 1993 Uganda v Nigeria 0-0 African Nations Cup Qualifiers
March 2007 Nigeria v Uganda 1-0 African Nations Cup Qualifiers
June 2007 Uganda v Nigeria 2-1 African Nations Cup Qualifiers
Team news:
Coach Daniel Amokachi has dropped the experienced quintet of Efe Ambrose, 2nd choice goalkeeper Austin Ejide, Elderson Echiejile of AS Monaco, left back Juwon Oshaniwa and reserve goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim from the latest squad
Brown Ideye recalled into the team after missing the World Cup party, has pulled out of the squad due to injury . Onyekachi Okafor of Warri Wolves has been called up in his place as Daniel Amokachi continues to tinker with his squad.
Nigeria skipper Vincent Enyeama will be winning his 100th cap for the Super Eagles if he is fielded in the game against Uganda.
Uganda will be without Isaac Isinde and Brian Umony who are both based in Ethiopia with St. George. Denis Iguma is out injured while Mike Azira failed to link up with the team on transit in Addis Ababa.
Derrick Tekkwo has been recalled into the team and there is also space for U23 international Ibrahim Kiyemba.
Teams
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars); Chidiebere Eze (Ifeanyi Ubah United) Defenders: Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Akeem Latifu (Aalesunds FC, Norway); Leon Balogun (Darmstadt 98, Germany)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Steven Ukoh (Biel-Bienne FC, Switzerland); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Onyekachi Okafor (Warri Wolves); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne, Germany); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Ubong Moses (Kano Pillars); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Standby – Victor Moses (Stoke City, England)
Uganda squad
Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango and Isma Rashid Watenga
Defenders: Isaac Isinde, Richard Juuko Kassaga, Murushid Jjuko, Shafiki Bakaki, Alex Kakuba, Godfrey Walusimbi, Denis Iguma, Joseph Nsubuga
Midfielders: Miya Faruku, Khalid Aucho, William Luwagga Kizito, Kizito Kezironi, Brian Majwega
Strikers: Geoffrey Massa, Robert Ssentongo, Brian Umony
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