Eagles Costa Rica lock horns ahead Qatar kickoff
All is now set for Costa Rica versus Super Eagles friendly in San Jose on Thursday. The match means something more for the Costa Ricans are featuring in the World Cup which kicks off November 20 than the Eagles who failed to clinch a ticket for the Mundial.
Super Eagles arrived San Jose, capital of Costa Rica on Sunday evening ahead of Thursday’s tie
The contingent led by NFF Executive Committee Member, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi touched down at Juan Santamaria International Airport aboard Copa Airlines via Panama City at 10:30pm Local time (5:30am on Monday in Nigeria).
A playing squad of 18 players, two coaches and other team officials made the trip according to Nigeria Football Federation.
The Team reportedly lodged at Real Intercontinental Hotel, San Jose as they prepared for their first training session ahead of the big match, to which they were invited as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticos to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
The game, scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose, will kick off at 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday, 9th November (which is 3am, 10th November in Nigeria).
While the Super Eagles will not be in Qatar, they will look to put together a fine run of form ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Serie Leone.
Costa Rica are currently unbeaten in four straight games, claiming one draw and three wins, including a 2-0 victory over Martinique in Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League on June 5.
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Nigeria boss Salisu Yusuf has settled Nigeria Professional League stars for the tie, including Daniel Bameyi, Samuel Kalu, Mustapha Jibrin and national Under-23 goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu.
Costa Rica possible starting lineup:
Navas; Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Borges, Ruiz, Bennette, Tejeda; Campbell, Contreras
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwosu; Bameyi, Nwobodo, Ogbonda, Kalu; Nosiru, Akanni, Ohaka; Faleye, Edidiong, Garba