Eagles to face Senegal's Lions of Teranga and Ghana's Black Stars in pre-Nation Cup friendly games

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles will play two friendlies games against Senegal's Lions of Teranga and Ghana's Black Stars in the run-up to the 2019 African Cup of Nations that kicks off in Egypt this June.

 

Between June 21 and July 19, the 32nd African Cup of Nations will be taking place in Egypt and Nigeria is expected to be among the favourites to win the tournament. Following the draw last week, Nigeria was drawn in Group B alongside Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi and will be taking a squad of 23 to the tournament.

 

As preparations begin, Mr Rohr has released his initial list of 50, which will be whittled down as the team play a series of friendlies in the run-up to the tournament. Senegalese Football Association president, Augustin Senghor has confirmed that the Teranga Lions will Nigeria before the tournament kicks off.

 

After the draw in Cairo, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, added: “We have two friendlies against Ghana and Senegal. Ghana in Nigeria and Senegal probably one week before the tournament here in Egypt.”

 

Mr Senghor and the Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick met after the draw to discuss modalities concerning the friendly fixture. Teranga Lions head coach Aliou Cisse and Mr Rohr were also present at the meeting and are expected to meet later to decide on the venue for the game.

 

Meanwhile, Benfica right back Tyrone Ebuehi is not going to be fit in time for the Nations Cup, as he is still yet to feature in a competitive game this season after a long injury lay off. Mr Rohr set a fitness coach to look at him recently but with the player still struggling, he was left out of the 50-man provisional list.

 

Although Ebuehi is close to returning to full training, it appears too late for him to regain his spot in the team. Mr Rohr is likely to take fullbacks Bryan Idowu, Shehu Abdullahi, Ola Aina and Jamiu Collins to Egypt.

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