Skipper Joseph Yobo will set a Nigerian record for international matches when the Super Eagles take the pitch in the dust-swept, non-descript environment of Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old defender equalled the Nigerian record of 86 caps, jointly held by late powerhouse midfielder Mudashiru Lawal and the inimitable Nwankwo Kanu, when the Eagles swept past newly- crowned African champions Zambia 2-0 in Kaduna on November 15, 2011.
On Wednesday, Yobo would become the first Nigerian to win 87 caps in the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Amavubi.
The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the Fenerbahce defender, who will also celebrate 11 years on the road with the senior national team next month.
“This is a milestone that is worthy of recognition, and we commend Yobo for not only being in there for so long, but also serving as a role model for the upcoming players with his exemplary conduct and patriotic fervour and zeal each time,” said NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.
Wednesday’s match will see a dream combination of foreign-based stars and the home boys, who did well in holding Angola’s Nations Cup-bound squad to a 0-0 in a friendly in Abuja in January and defeated Liberia 2-0 in Liberia mid-February.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has to convince the technical crew that he is as sharp as ever and deserving of the number one shirt ahead of Chigozie Agbim, while Skipper Joseph Yobo himself must compete for a central defence position with home boys Azubuike Egwueke and Papa Idris.
Sunshine Stars’ skipper Godfrey Oboabona is sure to start at right back, but an intense battle looms at left back between England-based Taye Taiwo and Sharks FC boy, Juwon Oshaniwa.
In the midfield, Dickson Etuhu, Victor Moses, Sani Kaita and Joel Obi from Europe will have to sweat out with home boys Gabriel Reuben, Bartholomew Ibenegbu and Obinna Nwachukwu.
Upfront, Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Yakubu Ayegbeni must be up-and-doing with Uche Kalu, Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunday Mba, who scored the two goals against Liberia in Monrovia, all breathing down their necks.
The Nigerian delegation will fly a chartered Rwanda Air aircraft to Kigali on Monday night and depart aboard the same airline on Wednesday immediately after the match.