Nigeria will lock horns with Liberia in their first 2022 World Cup qualifier at Teslim Balogun Stadium on Friday.
Kick-off is at 16h00 GMT.
The Super Eagles will be pushing for their fourth successive World Cup qualification, while the Lone Star are hoping to qualify for the global football showpiece for the first time in their history.
Henry Onyekuru is Nigeria’s danger man and the striker will be keen to inspire his nation to victory over Liberia in the Group C encounter.
There is also a motley crowd of stars such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo that might pose a threat to Lone Stars.
Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles coach, has already cautioned his charges against underestimating the threat posed by Liberia.
“We can’t underrate anybody especially after what happened a few months ago in Benin City (4-4 draw with Sierra Leone),” Rohr said in a pre-match interview.
Meanwhile, Liberia are targeting an important away victory over their more fancied opponents Nigeria on Friday.
The Lone Stars have had a great opportunity to prepare for this match with the backing coming from the country’s President George Weah.
Peter Butler’s side is yet to report any injuries and by Wednesday evening all players were already in camp following late arrival of Belarus-based midfielder David Tweh.
Sweden-based Justin Salmon, Paeek’s Abrahim Mohammed Soumaoro and NAC Breda’s U21 star Ayouba Kosiah are expected to make their senior international debut against the three-time African champions.
Their mentor Butler is upbeat that his boys will do well as they prepare for the much-anticipated clash against the Rohr’s side.
“It’s going to be a tough group and favourites Nigeria have got qualities and are heavily funded as compared to us, but I’m going to back myself against any coach in this group.
“They have Wilfred [Ndidi], Kelechi [Iheanacho], Alex [Iwobi] I could name more…but we’re going to be competitive and I believe we’re going to offset a few teams on the road.”
Experienced match referee from Togo Kouassi Attisso Attiogbe will be the man in the middle and will be assisted by fellow countrymen Komlan Domenyo Adiwotso (assistant referee 1), Lima Kabassima (assistant referee 2), and Yelebodom Gado Bodjona (fourth official).
