Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, has said he expects the team to step up against Algeria in Tuesday’s friendly match without the injured players.
He also claimed that the Super Eagles winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will help the country ease the pain of failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
The three-time African champions failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana during the play-offs. However, their attention now shifts to the biennial African showpiece billed for Cote d’Ivoire in 2024 – a tournament Jose Peseiro has vowed to win.
Speaking to GOAL ahead of Tuesday’s encounter against the Desert Foxes, Adepoju said: “Well, it is okay if you feel the absence of the injured players will be missed. However, I expect other players to step up against the Algerians.
“Regardless of the outcome, Nigerians should keep faith with the Super Eagles because the coach has said he is building a team to win the Africa Cup of Nations which in my honest opinion is more important.
“That alone will be a soothing relief for Nigerians who are still sad over our absence from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”