AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Arrive Agadir For São Tomé Clash
Nigeria’s delegation to Monday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe, landed in the Southern Moroccan city of Agadir on Sunday morning.
The Air Peace airline’s Embraer 195 E2, which has flown the Super Eagles to a number of match venues, touched down at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa at exactly 8.15am on Sunday. There was a total of 25 players, technical and administrative crew.
The delegation was led by NFF 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko and also included the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, a number of board members, a couple of NFF Management and Staff, a few stakeholders and some media representatives.
We have landed in Morocco in readiness for Monday’s #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 qualifier Vs São Tomé & Principe. #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/l7hqX6o2Gt
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 12, 2022
Having secured all three points in their 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday, the Super Eagles would be seeking to grab another three against São Tomé and Príncipe, at the Grand Stade Agadir, also known as Adrar Stadium, on Monday afternoon.
Head Coach Jose Peseiro said at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa that the encounter against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ will bring the best out of his team, as they seek to go top of the Group A table.
“We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it,” Peseiro said.
“As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players. It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”
Deputy Captain William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke returned to their respective clubs in England and France to attend to injuries sustained during the international break. Bonke was injured in the friendly against Mexico in Dallas on 28th May, while Troost-Ekong suffered a groin strain in victory against Sierra Leone.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Liberian official Hassen Zinnah Corneh as referee for the encounter, with his compatriots Joel Wonka Doe, Ephraim Grant Whengar and Moses Forkpah as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, respectively.
Alim Konate Aboubakar from Cameroon will be match commissioner. The match starts at 1pm Morocco time.
Rafat Salami/NFF.
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