Super Eagles of Nigeria and Warriors of Zimbabwe Saturday at the
Stephen Keshi Stadium settled for a goalless draw in one of the shape up
matches ahead of the Nations cup in Egypt.
Both teams
qualified for the continental fiesta and were impressive but cautious in the
friendly tie that saw many fans troop out to watch defying the heavy down pour
in Asaba.
Although the Eagles
especially in the early minutes of match attempted to rattle the Warriors, the
visitors held their ground proving that indeed their qualification was no
fluke.
Coach Gernot Rohr
had prior to the match declared that it was not about winning or losing but
using the match to see to the readiness of the boys he is taking to the land of
the Pharaohs.
He had also said that players who were a bit rusty in their
clubs will be given opportunity to play and prove themselves.
One of the players
some had looked forward to playing in the match was Leicester City forward
Kelechi Iheanacho who unfortunately did not play. But team Captain John
Obi Mikel was in superlative form leaving no one in doubt that he is ready to
lead the squad to yet another Nations cup.
Rohr is expected to
drop two players from his current 25-man squad in camp before heading to Egypt
where the team will play the last friendly against Taranga Lions of Senegal
before diving into the competition proper. The Warriors of Zimbabwe will battle
host Egypt, Uganda and DR Congo in the group Stage, while the Eagles have dates
against Guinea and two tournament debutants Burundi and Madagascar.
The warriors will
open shop against hosts Egypt on June 21 in Cairo while the Eagles will begin
their quest against Burundi June 22 in Alexandria.
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