Posted by The Vanguard on
Nigeria's senior team, Super Eagles file out against their Libyan counterparts at the June 11 Stadium, Tripoli on Wednesday, in an exhibition match meant to prepare both teams for upcoming World Cup/Nations Cup 2006 qualifiers.
Nigeria's senior team, Super Eagles file out against their Libyan counterparts at the June 11 Stadium, Tripoli on Wednesday, in an exhibition match meant to prepare both teams for upcoming World Cup/Nations Cup 2006 qualifiers.
The Super Eagles' first choice goalie Vincent Enyeama has been denied a visa to the North African country because of diplomatic unease between Libya and Israel, where he plays for Bnei Yenuda. His place in goal will be taken by Austin Ejide, who has not had an opportunity to show his maturity in the senior team for a long time
Ejide was in goal for a number of friendlies ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals, but has since dropped down the pecking order, no thanks to the imperious form of Enyeama, who shone brilliantly when thrown into a World Cup finals match against England in Osaka in June 2002 in his first competitive match.
Enyeama was named the best goalie at the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia last year, with Ejide consigned to a role on the bench throughout the tournament.
Libya are sure to provide stiff test for the Nigerians. The Libyan team, now coached by Croatian Ilija Goncarevic, looks headed for the Nations Cup finals in Egypt. They are fourth in group 3 of the qualifying campaign, behind Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Egypt. But the Libyans could go through as the best fourth-placed team in the entire series since hosts Egypt would qualify automatically for the 16-nation finals taking place January 20-February 10 next year.
Libya have played in the African Nations Cup only once before, when they hosted the finals in 1982. Having scooped 11 points already, the Libyans have to throw everything into their home match against Sudan on September 2 and away to Benin Republic in Cotonou on October 9, with Cape Verde, Congo and Kenya all standing in 4th place in other groups after bagging 10 points each. Gabon, the other fourth -placed team, have nine.