Pinnick charges Super Eagles to bring joy to Nigerians

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick has called on the Super Eagles to edge closer to the AFCON ticket by defeating Libya in Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

“It is important that we win in Uyo on Saturday in order to fly with the same momentum to Tunisia for the return leg. Victory in Seychelles last month has restored our campaign and we must capitalize on the good feeling to get close to a ticket.

“Victory in the two matches will not only take us closer to 2019 AFCON ticket, it will provide us with the verve we need to go and win in South Africa in November,” he said.

South Africa defeated Nigeria 2-0 in Uyo on the opening day of the qualifying series in June 2017, and it is a result that still rankles with the average Nigerian football fan.

Meanwhile, Group leaders Libya have now opted to fly into Nigeria today, as against yesterday that was earlier announced.

The delegation will arrive the Ibom International Airport, Uyo aboard a chartered aircraft this morning.

Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, alongside compatriots Olivier Safari Kabene (Assistant Referee 1), Nabina Blaise Sebutu (Assistant Referee 2) and Malala Kabanga Yannick (Reserve Referee) - all from the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived in Lagos. They will fly into Uyo this morning.

The match commissioner, Mr. Andy Quame from Liberia, as well as South African Dan Van Vuuren (security officer) and Malian Koman Coulibaly (referee assessor) will also arrive in Uyo today.