Costa Rica coach admits he does not expect Nigeria to be similar to Spain, Germany or Japan 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before his side's meeting with the Super Eagles, Costa Rica national team coach Luis Fernando Suárez underlined that he does not expect Nigeria to have the same playing style as their World Cup rivals. 

Costa Rica have been drawn against Spain, Germany and Japan in Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and it is believed that the friendly against Nigeria has no purpose other than to say goodbye to Costa Rica fans. 

Nigeria played similar friendlies at home against Georgia, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo before traveling for the 1994, 2002 and 2018 World Cup respectively. 

The friendly against Costa Rica is outside the FIFA window for international matches, so the Nigeria coaches have selected only eighteen players based in the domestic championship with several youngsters part of the group. 

Luis Fernando Suárez warned his players to careful, adding that Nigeria have a physical team with pacy players.

In quotes relayed by La Teja, Suárez stated : "Conclusions are always drawn. This group knows what it has to do tactically and strategically in games.

"We are going to make decisions, but I do tell you: we do not see Nigeria as Spain, Germany or Japan . Still, you have to play it with what we propose, always at a tactical level.

"What we want is to thank all the fans and when the ball rolls, each one knows that he must do what is necessary."

The Costa Rica v Nigeria friendly will be played at the National Stadium in San José at 2000 hours local time (0300 hours Nigerian time on Thursday), with 35,000 fans expected to be in attendance. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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