3rd June, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are expected to approach their international friendly game against Greece tonight in USA with caution for fear of injury.
The Eagles are playing Greece in Pennsylvania, United States 7p.m. local time and 12 midnight Nigeria as part of their preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Media Officer of the Eagles, Ben Alaiya said on Brila FM early today with the release of the World Cup-bound 23-man squad last night, Coach Stephen Keshi will have the chance of putting to test some of his World Cup’s plans. It is expected that Keshi will use this game to test the core of his squad
According to him, the players will have to play with extreme caution for fear of picking injuries from the match as any injury may affect such player’s fortune in Brazil.
“With the final list release, the focus of the Chief Coach will be on the players and the need to ensure that they play in unity, but I must tell you that the players will be very careful in this match for fear of injury. I’m very sure that the players will be mindful of picking injuries from the match because we are very much close to the World Cup,” he said.
Today’s meeting with Greece will be the fourth time the Super Eagles will engage the Greek national team at senior level.
Nigeria edged Greece 2-0 in 1994 at the Foxboro Stadium in the US in her maiden World Cup appearance. Goals from now assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, and Finidi George gave Nigeria victory on the day.
Greece beat Nigeria 2-0 in a friendly international in November 1999 in Kilkis with Nikos Machlas scoring both goals.
The last time the two teams met, Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Greeks at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where a certain Sani Kaita got sent off as Greece rallied back from a goal down to beat Nigeria.