BATTLE OF DNIPRO: It will be a good game–Ekong declares

Super Eagles stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong has promised Nigerians a good game against a Ukraine in tonight’s international friendly at the Dnipro Arena.

The Eagles who are regrouping for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations will be without some key players who have either retired or are injured.

The center-back who spoke to the press after the team’s final training session revealed that he has been privileged to play against some of the Ukraine players in the Seria A and acknowledged they are blessed with good players.

“Ukraine is a strong team with a lot of very good players across Europe. I know a few of those in Italy where I play.

“This game is definitely going to be very tough but we will give our best and also make it very difficult for them. I believe it will be a very good game,” he told reporters.

Italian referee Paolo Valerie will take charge of proceedings at the 31,000 –capacity arena, with his compatriots Alessandro Costanzo and Stefano Alassio assisting, while Ukrainian Vitaliy Romanov will serve as the fourth official.

Ukraine, like most jurisdictions of the former Soviet Union, broke off from the collapsed mother nation in 1991. Both the Ukraine Football Association and the country’s senior team came into existence also in 1991.

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Nigeria and Ukraine have never met at senior level, but a group phase clash at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland earlier in the summer ended 1-1. Ukraine eventually won the championship. Kick-off is 7.30 pm.