Eagles set to soar against Yemen

The Super Eagles will round off her tour of the Middle East with a friendly international with the Yemeni national team at the Seven’s Stadium in Dubai on Saturday. Yemen were a late replacement for Sudan-themselves a replacement for Mali and the game will bee an opportunity for Nigeria to earn her first win of 2015 after losing to Ivory Coast 1-0 in the first game through a Salomon Kalou late goal in Abu Dhabi. Coach Daniel Amokachi, standing in for Stephen Keshi has already sounded the battle cry and hints at the game being taken serious like a cup final. “That is in the past now, we must all refocus our minds for the next game. Not only players but even we the officials because we cannot afford another slip.”Amokachi stated Team captain Chigozie Agbim is also in buoyant mood and says despite the fact Nigeria didn’t qualify for the Nations Cup, friendly games like this can only make the team much better. “We know that Nigerians are still not too happy with us because we missed the Nations Cup and we have to start getting their support through games like this. All thanks to the NFF for the vision”.he said. Yemen isn't your quintessential football power house, but the Nigeria Football Federation insists it will give the home based lads an opportunity to showcase what they have as well gaining some experience in the process.Ranked 176 in the world, Yemen are making steady progress under Czech coach Miroslav Soukup, who have instilled defensive discipline in the side as occasioned by the successive draws against Bahrain and Qatar. Yemen have only conceded one goal in three matches and will look to earn their first win in three when they clash with the Super Eagles on Saturday.

Yemen in bits:

Capital-Sanaa

Jerseys-Red

Shorts-White

Stockings- Black

Yemen are a very physical side who are full of running. They usually play a more traditional 4-2-2 system under coach Soukup which has seen them become defensively solid and hard to break. The Super Eagles will have their work cut-out trying to bridge the Yemen defence led by the reliable Mudeer Abduraboh Al-Radaei. Kingsley Sokari has an ankle complaint and will face a late fitness test while Gbolahan Salami who was excused to travel and sort out his club future is also a doubt for the game.

Yemen squad:

Ahmed Alehifa, Khalid Hussain, Osama Hassan, Bashir Munif, Ahmed Alos, Ayman Dahroug, Ali Hafeez,Mohammed Buqshan, Mohammed Aldahi, Al-Hagri, Ayman Saddam Sharif, Abdullah Al-Absi, Hamada Zubayri, Bashir Munifi, Mohammed Subsea, Ammar Hassan, Walid Hubaishi, Mohammed Srora, Ala Al-Sasi, Abdalmaan Jerhi, Abdul Rahman Yasin, Mudeer Abduraboh Al-Radaei

Nigeria Squad:

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC)

Midfielders: Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Peter Ebimobowie, Stephen Ukoh

Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves);Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers).