Football

Nigeria captain Mikel Obi is disappointed he will not get the chance to represent the country in Tuesday’s friendly encounter against Serbia.

Mikel could not link up with his teammates in Wroclaw for Friday’s friendly game against Poland which they won 1-0 as he was sorting out his work permit in China, where plays for Chinese Premier League club Tiajin Teda.

The midfielder who has been capped 82 times by Nigeria will also miss the game against Serbia due to the same problem.

The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick says the sterling performance of the Super Eagles against Poland that ended in the favor of the Eagles would boost their confidence ahead of Tuesday's football match against Serbia. Speaking via Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Pinnick said he believes that the senior national team will keep improving with the result against Poland.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday demonstrated their intention to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup by defeating Poland 1-0 at the Stadion Miejski, Wroclaw. Victor Moses’ 61st minute penalty kick made the difference as the Eagles fought hard to earn a win over world number eight Poland. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr made the most difficult call between the sticks, as he eventually went for Francis Uzoho.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr believes both his side and Poland will benefit immensely from Friday’s international friendly in Wroclaw.

The Eagles will officially kickoff preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup when they face the Poles, who will also be in Russia, from 8.45pm Friday night.

After the game in Poland, the Eagles will then leave for London to face Serbia in another friendly.

Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Amkar Perm defender Bryan Idowu will make their first starts for the Super Eagles Friday night against Poland in a friendly billed for the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.

Uzoho who has kept 12 clean sheets this season in the third-tier of the Spanish League for Deportivo La Coruna’s second team Deportivo Fabril, has got the nod ahead of Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who arrived in camp late for the game.

The friendly will be the 19-year-old’s second appearance for the three-time African champions after he came on during the 4-2 win over Argentina in November.

Heartland Football Club of Owerri have directed their technical crew led by Ramson Madu to step aside following the team’s poor run of form in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season.

The Naze Millionaires have struggled to make an impact since their return to the top flight and sit in the 18 position with 13 points from 12 games.

Madu’s last game in charge of the Naze Millionaires was Wednesday’s NPFL rescheduled match day 10 fixture against Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo which ended in a 2-1 defeat.