The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Seychelles National team in their second qualification match for the 2019 African Cup of Nations on Saturday in Victoria, Seychelles.
In what will be their first match since being knocked out of the Group stages at the 2018 World Cup, the Super Eagles will look to put their AFCON qualifying campaign back on track after losing their first match to the South African team in Uyo by 2-0.
Going into the Saturdays match, the Super Eagles have been blighted by the withdrawal of key players such as John Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi and William Troost-Ekong due to various degree of injury. Also, Chelsea winger Victor Moses retired from international football just after the World Cup.
In the absence of these players, coach of the side Gernot Rohr has handed invitations to the likes of Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi and Samuel Kalu, all whom will be representing the country for the first time.
Although, Seychelles are minnows when it comes to African football, Rohr has warned his side against complacency. “For us to win, we must not look down on Seychelles because everybody thinks they are no team but if we don’t raise our game we will be shocked,” the coach was quoted as saying.
On the part of Seychelles, the small island nation lost their opening match by 5-1 to Libya, and will be hoping to make amends for that loss when they host the Super Eagles at home.
The group stage of Africa Cup of Nations started in June last year and only the top teams and the three best runners-up from the 12 groups will join host Cameroon in the finals in 2019.
Fact: Seychelles’ biggest competitive win came against Zimbabwe in the qualifiers of the 2004 African Cup of Nations. Goals by strikers Alpha Baldé and Philip Zialor gave the Island nation a 2–1 win at Stade Linité against Zimbabwe
Coaches:
• Gernot Rohr (Nigeria)
• Gavin Jeanne (Seychelles)
Date, Time and Venue of the match:
- September 8th, 2018
- 1:30pm (Nigerian time)
- Stade Linite, Victoria.
