Everything you need to know about Nigeria's international friendly against Mali's Eagles 

Nigeria's Super Eagles are set to lock horns with the Eagles of Mali in an international friendly on Tuesday, March 26th, 2024.

This clash in Marrakech, Morocco, marks the second and final friendly for Nigeria during this international break.

While friendlies often hold less weight than competitive fixtures, this match offers a valuable opportunity for both sides.

For Nigeria's newly appointed interim coach, Finidi George, it's a chance to further implement his tactics and assess player combinations ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers in June.

Mali, on the other hand, will be looking to test their own mettle and build momentum for the upcoming world cup qualifiers as well.

Head-to-Head Record

The rivalry between Nigeria and Mali is pretty much one-sided in favour of the Super Eagles. Across eleven meetings, the Super Eagles have emerged victorious on six occasions, with three draws and two loses.

Their most recent clash came in an international friendly in 2016, which Nigeria edged out Mali via a lone goal in a game which ended with a 1-0 scoreline.

Notably, the Malians are winless in their last eight meetings with the three time African Champions since 1978.

Key Players to Watch

Nigeria - Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Stanley Nwabali.
Mali - El Bilal Toure, Amadou Haidara, Hamari Traore.

Venue and Kickoff Time

The match will be played at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco. Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM Nigerian time (21:00 WAT).

Where to Watch

The game should be available on Blend TV,  partners of the Nigeria Football Federation. 

Expectations

This friendly is primarily a chance for both teams to experiment and refine their strategies. Fans can expect to see new formations and player combinations being trialed.

For Nigeria, a win would be a morale booster under a new coach. However, the true focus will be on the quality of performance and the tactical understanding displayed by the Super Eagles.

Mali, on the other hand, will be aiming to showcase their own tactical approach and test themselves against a strong African opponent.

Ultimately, this friendly serves as a stepping stone for both sides as they gear up for upcoming challenges, particularly, the World Cup qualifiers.

Ejim Kaycee

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