Eagles Will Learn from S’Arabia Friendly, Says Mouktar 

Olawale Ajimotokan  in Abuja 

The Chairman, FCT Football Association, Adam Mohammed Mouktar, has described the international friendly match between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as a good test for the Super Eagles. 

The match which was played last Friday at Estadio Municipal de Portimao in Portugal ended 2-2. 

Mouktar said although Nigeria could have easily won the game, a draw nonetheless was not a bad result. 

“The game against Saudi Arabia was a good test match for the Super Eagles. It would have been nice to win, but we conceded late in the game, which cost us dearly,” Mouktar said. 

He stressed the need for Super Eagles handlers to improve the team in some departments, particularly the midfield and goalkeeping areas. 

Mouktar said the overall improvement of the squad ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that holds in Cote d’Ivoire was important if the team hoped to do well in the tournament. 

“The players did well but we need to inject fresh young talented players and improve our midfield and goalkeeping positions. 

“I think we must prepare well and play top teams that will challenge Super Eagles more on a higher level before the AFCON in January in order to be in top shape to win the cup,” he said. 

The Super Eagles will today take on the Mambas of Mozambique in another friendly encounter at the same venue, before 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next month.      

Nigeria will meet the hosts Cote d’Ivoire as well as Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in Group A of the AFCON 2023 next January.