Saudi Arabia v Nigeria: Match preview, what to expect, team news, key players, kickoff time

Three-time African champions Nigeria will face Saudi Arabia in an international friendly game on Friday evening.

José Peseiro's side are preparing for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations that will be staged next year and at the same time preparing for the two World Cup qualification games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next month.

 

Saudi Arabia are also trying to gain momentum under new boss Roberto Mancini who was appointed in August ahead of the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers in November

Match preview

 

The last encounter between both sides ended in a barren draw in 2010 at the National Stadium in Abuja which is now known as the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The Super Eagles are coming into this encounter on the back of an emphatic victory against São Tomé and Príncipe in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

 

The Green Falcons on the other hand lost their last game against South Korea which means they are yet to record a victory in the two games played so far under Mancini.

Thus, the West Africans head into the game as slight favourites.

 

Team news

 

The only home based player named on the Super Eagles roster Olorunleke Ojo and Hapoel Jerusalem's Adebayo Adeleye have yet to report for international duty due to a visa hitch and the security situation in Israel respectively.

Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini is sweating over the fitness of Hassan Kadesh, who did not participate in the teams's final training session on Thursday due to pain in his thigh, and Zakaria Hawsawi who trained individually today.

 

What to expect

This promises to be an interesting encounter between the African giants and their Asian counterparts.

With the attacking prowess Nigeria have at their disposal, one expects them to take control of the game.

 

Seeking to gain momentum, Mancini's side will also threaten the Nigerian defence who always look vulnerable whenever they are up against a decent attack.

 

Both sides should find the back of the net in the encounter but the quality Peseiro's side have in attack should help them get a win in this encounter.

 

Key players

1. Victor Osimhen:  The Napoli forward is averaging close to a goal per game for the three-time African champions, having scored 20 goals in twenty-seven appearances so far.

However, he has scored just one goal in 6 international friendlies for the Super Eagles and will be hoping to improve that return against Mancini's side.

With 7 goals conceded in their last four games, the three-time Asian champions will have to be at their premium best to keep the Napoli ace quiet.

2. Alex Iwobi: The Fulham midfielder is back in contention for Nigeria having missed the game against São Tomé and Príncipe due to injury.

The Hale End Academy product will be hoping to pull the string from the midfield and should have a say in the game if the West African side are to emerge victorious.

3. Salem Al-Dawsari: The Al Hilal forward scored a belter against Argentina in the last FIFA World Cup and has been in good form for Saudi Arabia since then, scoring four goals in his last 7 games.

He has also scored six goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, four less than top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo who has ten goals.

Nigeria will have to be cautious of the in-form forward in the encounter.

4. Abdulrahman Ghareeb: The left winger is also another player the Super Eagles have to keep an eye on.

 

While the 26-year-old has only 1 assist to date for the Green Falcons, his form for Al Nassr should be a cause for concern.

 

He has 4 assists in the Saudi Pro League this season, which is the second-highest in the whole division.

 

Kickoff  and venue

 

The match is expected to take off at 1700 hours and will be staged at Estádio Municipal de Portimão.

 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

 

 

 

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