Former Nigeria goalkeeper : Costa Rica, Portugal friendlies not do or die affair

Ahead of Nigeria’s two international friendly matches this month against Costa Rica and Portugal, former international Dele Aiyenugba has posited that the most important thing is that the Eagles have the opportunity to continue its build up to the next round of qualifiers to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eagles largely made up of home-based players who were in Ibadan camp have arrived Costa Rica for Thursday's game against the north Americans.

They players trained at the Centro De Alto Rendimiento Training Centre, San Jose on Monday. 

Aiyenugba, who won the CAF Champions League with Enyimba before taking his game to Israel,  spoke to Brila FM Tuesday on his expectations from the games.

"It's great that we are playing two big matches in November against teams going to the World Cup (Costa Rica and Portugal)," the onetime Bnei Yehuda goalkeeper stated. 

"It's not about losing or winning. It's not a do or die affair. It's about building team bond, integrating a couple new players ahead of the AFCON qualifiers from next year. 

"The team just have to play well. Football is an open game. If you play well, people will see your performance.

"If the right players are there to play for Nigeria, then let the best legs play for Nigeria," Aiyenugba insisted.

The Eagles will face the Costa Ricans in the early hours of Thursday morning Nigerian time (3am Nigeria time, 8pm Costa Rica time) before next week's clash against Portugal.

Aiyenugba who had 17 caps for Nigeria currently plays his professional football for Kwara United in the Nigeria Professional Football League but once disclosed to sports journalists that he has no intention of making a return to the national team. 

 Izuchukwu Michael
 

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