UKRAINE-BASED Brown Ideye and his Germany-based counterpart, Joseph Akpala have been chosen the lead Nigeria’s attack against Mexico when both teams meet in an international friendly match this night.
Akpala, who scored Nigeria’s winning goal against France when the Super Eagles defeated the Les Blues just before the South Africa 2010 World Cup, is turning out for the first time for the Eagles under Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
Keshi remained calm Thursday evening ahead of the team’s last training session before the encounter against CONCACAF champions, Mexico in Houston, the United States.
The ‘Big Boss,’ happy that the game will be televised live in Nigeria, says there are no injury worries in the team, promising that the team will not have any reason to faulter against the Mexicans.
“We will do our best and ensure that we come clean against Mexico.
“As usual, we want Nigerians to pray for us. On our part we will defend the national colours well against any opposition and Mexico is just one of them,” he declared.
Big midfielder, John Ogu is also said to be pulling his weight and it won’t be surprising if he starts the match against the very tricky Mexicans. “I don’t know who will start and who will not but we have a team that should do very well against Mexico,” Keshi said yesterday evening.
The match is scheduled for Friday by 8.00 p.m Houston time, which is 2.00 am Nigerian time on Saturday morning.
Meanwhiule, leader of the Nigerian delegation to the prestige friendly against Mexico, Emeka Inyama, has said the Super Eagles squad he is with in the United States is composed and ready for action against Mexico.
Speaking to team’s Media Officer, Ben Alaiya from Houston, Inyama, who is the chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, said he was delighted at what he is seeing adding that he believes that the team
will do well against Mexico. “But the ultimate target is to have a team that will qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.”
He continued, “we just had lunch and all the 22 players we have been doing great and ready to go. The coaches must be commended for the wonderful drilling they are giving our boys. I am very sure we will not disappoint the nation against Mexico.”
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