The Super Eagles arrived in Luxembourg from France on Sunday ahead of their friendly game against the tiny European nation on Tuesday.
Manchester City’s wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho netted a 77th minute goal to help Nigeria beat Mali 1-0 at Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen on Friday to give the Eagles’ caretaker manager Salisu Yusuf and his charges a huge boost of confidence ahead of the clash against minnows Les Lions Rouges (the Red Lions) at Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City.
Yusuf will bank on Iheanacho, Watford scoring sensation Odion Ighalo, Arsenal’s rising star Alex Iwobi, Etebo Oghenekaro and Shehu Abdullahi for victory again.
According to Nigeria Football Federation’s official website, the Eagles were in high spirits as they trained for the first time at Stade Josy Barthel for the friendly.
Luxembourg have not qualified for the World Cup since its inception in Uruguay in 1930. They have not qualified for the European Championship since 1960.
The Red Lions are 146th in the world rankings against the Eagle’s 67th.
The Luc Holtz side will rely heavily on Metz attacker Vincent Thill and Kaiserslautern striker Maurice Deville in an attempt to shock the 2013 African champions, who are preparing for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, reports claimed on Sunday Yusuf could be made Nigeria’s substantive coach. The NFF had been on the market for the services of a foreign coach for the struggling Eagles after Sunday Oliseh’s unceremonious exit.
But reports now say the crisis-ridden federation may be considering settling for the services of former Kano Pillars and Enyimba manager Yusuf.
“Nigeria could now settle for Salisu should a foreign coach option fail,” an unnamed source told AfricanFootball.com on Sunday.
“He impressed with his tactical approach against Mali.
“And the players have taken to him because he is not arrogant unlike his predecessors, who dwelled so much on their exploits as players.”
The Eagles have crashed out of Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations but they will be hoping to qualify for a sixth World Cup when the qualifying tournament begins in October.
