LIVERPOOL winger
Victor Moses is poised to return to Nigeria's starting line-up today when
Nigeria faces France in the second round of the World Cup after missing the
Super Eagles' last three matches with a muscle strain.
Moses has only
featured in one World Cup match so far, coming off in the 52nd minute of the
opening game against Iran and had to sit out the remaining two group matches
against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina. However, he appears to have fully
recovered now and with Volyn Lutsk winger Michael Babatunde out injured,
Moses is set for a recall for the game taking place at the Estadio Nacional
Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.
Babatunde is out for
the rest of the tournament after breaking his arm in the 2-3 loss to Argentina
and Moses is now expected to take his place in the starting line-up. Also
recovered and ready to return is central defender Godfrey Oboabona, although
head coach Stephen Keshi may be reluctant to break up the partnership between
Joseph Yobo and Kenneth Omeruo in the heart of the defence.
Kick-off is at 5pm
Nigeria and UK time and Keshi has promised the fans that his team is ready to
bring pride not only to Nigeria but the entire African continent. He added that
as African champions, his team are the representatives of the entire continent
and assured everyone that the Super Eagles will not fail in their collective
responsibility to do the continent proud.
Keshi said: "We
are not only here representing Nigeria but the continent of Africa. We are
African champions and feel that we have a collective responsibility to not only
play for our country but also the continent."
Meanwhile, Fifa, has
turned down a request by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to honour
captain Joseph Yobo on his 100th cap, which he will earn if he plays against
France. A request was made by the NFF to present a signed official jersey to
the 33-year old defender prior to kick- off inside the stadium but Fifa
rejected the suggestion.
Consequently, the NFF has decided to make a brief presentation of the jersey to the player by at the team’s Brasilia Palace Hotel after the match. If Yobo features against France, he would be playing in his 10th Fifa World Cup match, taking him ahead of Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, the only other Nigerian players to have featured in three finals.
