As Nigeria prepares to meet Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday, the Nigeria Football Federation reminded fans that “Rabat is a happy hunting ground” for the Super Eagles and highlighted history and present-day milestones.
The NFF noted that the only previous senior meeting in Rabat took place on 28 August 1983, when Nigeria held Morocco 0-0 and won a penalty shootout 4-3 to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast.
“As the Super Eagles file out to the turf of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday, they will remember they had never lost a match to the Lions in Rabat,” the federation said.
Attention in the camp is also on striker Victor Osimhen.
The NFF said: “Two goals against the Atlas Lions on Wednesday will put Victor James Osimhen at par with Nigeria’s revered ‘goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini.”
Osimhen has 35 goals in 51 matches; Yekini scored 37 in 58 games.
“History beckons,” the federation added, noting Osimhen is “easily tipped to score many more goals for Nigeria.”
Alex Iwobi is also closing in on a century of caps, with the NFF noting that the Fulham midfielder “is set to win his 96th cap for country, taking him closer to the century-mark.”
The NFF also praised head coach Eric Chelle, noting that the Franco-Malian tactician's tally “is a tidy 11 wins in 17 matches of the Super Eagles, with five draws, and losing once in regulation time.”
Fans are already in Rabat anticipating the clash, and the atmosphere is one of joy despite the unsavoury off-pitch issues that the team has had to deal with in recent times.
