Nigeria’s senior men’s national team on Thursday morning departed Rabat for Constantine, venue of their final 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.
The Super Eagles, led by their German handler Gernot Rohr have been in camp at the Moroccan capital since Sunday evening where they perfected strategies for the games against Algeria on Friday and Argentina next Tuesday.
Although hit with injuries to several key players such as Chelsea star Victor Moses, left-back Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Agu, winger Daddy Moses Simon and striker Odion Ighalo, Nigeria still have enough quality at their disposal to call upon in Friday’s game.
Top on the list of players who left with the team from Rabat to Constantine are team captain John Mikel Obi, Arsenal star Alex Iwobi, Leicester trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa as well as newly invited goalkeeper Francis Uzoho of Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.
The team is expected to hold their final training session on Thursday night in the North-Eastern city of Constantine.
Meanwhile, in line with FIFA regulations, Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr will hold a 15-minute press conference at the venue of the match just before his team get a feel of the turf on the exact kick-off time of the match a day later.
Consequently, Rohr will speak with the local media at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in Constantine at 8:15pm Nigerian time on Thursday. Friday’s game will kick-off at 8:30pm Algeria (and Nigeria) time.
Gabonese referee, Eric Arnaud Otogo Castane is the centre referee for the match and will be assisted by Aboubacar Doumbouya (Guinea, assistant referee 1), Seydou Tiama (Burkina Faso, assistant referee 2) and Juste Ephrem Zio (Burkina Faso, fourth official).
