The Nigeria World Cup squad and crew have set their eyes on victory today as Nigeria takes on the Czech Republic in the last warm-up game in Austria before heading to Russia. Kick off time is 2 pm Nigerian time.
The Super Eagles are placed in Group D with opposition countries like Croatia, Iceland and perennial nemesis, Argentina at the Mundial kicking off in eight days from today, Eagles need the victory to rev up their morale.
Gernot Rohr, admitted at the team’s pre-World Cup camp in Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, that a win is an ultimate target this afternoon.
“We will go for a victory that would boost spirit and earn team confidence ahead of our first match in Russia. It would not be an easy pick but we will work hard for it,” observed the Super Eagles Technical Adviser.
The game is holding against a backdrop of consecutive losses in friendly matches against Serbia and England with Nigeria’s first match of the FIFA World Cup against Croatia only nine days away.
Earlier, Eagles defeated Argentina and Poland in their first two friendly games of the preparation for the battle in Russia. Their only draw was against DR Congo.
Super Eagles Midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo also said yesterday that the friendlies have sort of prepared the team for the opposition to face when the World Cup begins.
Today’s friendly at the Rudolf Tonn Stadium will be the third official meeting between Nigeria and Czech.
Nigeria and then Czechoslovakia drew 1-1 in a group match at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, with Vizek scoring for the Czechs in the first half and Henry Nwosu equalizing for the Eagles with six minutes left to stoppage time.
The Czechs won their second meeting in Rabat which was part of the King Hassan Cup Tournament on 11th December 1996 by two goals to one.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
