By Taiwo Adelu.
Swaziland senior national team have declared their readiness to test their might against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture on Friday, 13 November.
Spokesperson of National Football Associations of Swaziland, Msibi Mfikeleli, said that his country sees Nigerian team as ‘giants’ in African Football, adding that this status has created excitement among their players, who are eagerly looking forward to the match, the first leg of the two-legged qualifying fixture.
“Our players are preparing for this match with seriousness because we see Nigeria as giants of Africa,” Mfikeleli said in an interview monitored on a Lagos based radio station on Wednesday.
He said that Swaziland respect the Eagles so much, but they will be all out to take the three points at stake from the match. He added that they won’t take the tie lightly with the star studded Nigerian team in the encounter scheduled for 7pm (6pm Nigerian time) inside 30,000 capacity Somhlolo National Stadium in Swaziland.
According to the spokesperson, Swaziland will parade players mainly from the local league as the coach, Harris Bulunga, has drawn his players mainly from the three top teams in the Swaziland League; Mbabane Swallows, Highlanders and defending Champions Royal Leopards.
He however revealed that National Football Associations of Swaziland is working in conjunction with its Nigerian counterpart to ensure a smooth organization of the match, adding that the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, has since communicated the Eagles’ traveling arrangements to the host.
“We are expecting Nigerian team and their accompany officials on 12 November. This arrangement has been communicated to us. It has been confirmed to us by the Federation that the Eagles will depart Abuja by 7am on that day on board of a chartered flight,” he said.
Nigeria Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh had invited 24 players for the match. The players who include recalled America – based Obafemi Martins, John Mikel Obi and a host of others are expected to hit camp in Abuja latest 8 November.
Taiwo Adelu : Twitter :@taiwo007, Facebook :Taiwo Adelu, email taiwosamson2002@yahoo.com