Super Eagles invitees Mfon Udoh and Ammel Wilfred have seperately admitted that the friendly games in Abu Dhabi will expose the domestic league players technically and tactically despite the country’s absence from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
The Enyimba striker and Kogi United midfielder are among the 24 home-based players invited for the international friendly matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan by stand-in coach Daniel Amokachi.
Udoh, who is Europe-bound after he netted a record 23 league goals for Enyimba, said they are not scared of the Ivorians as he believes the home based team are capable of recording victories in Abu Dhabi.
“Sudan will be a good test because they gave Nigeria a real test during the Nations Cup qualifiers. They proved themselves home and away. Cote d’Ivoire have a strong team,” Udoh told Goal.
“Most of their players are in Europe and they are one of the Nations Cup title contenders. I am excited we are playing the two teams and confident we can win both games,” he said.
Wilfred, who is getting his first call-up to the senior national team from a second tier league outfit, expressed excitement at the opportunity and is hopeful of justifying his invitation.
“First of all, I will to give God Almighty the glory and the coach for giving me this chance. It’s a rare opportunity any player can come by and I hope to prove myself if selected to play in any of the games,” Wilfred told Goal.
“For me, it will not be easy going against a big team like Cote d’ Ivoire becauses of the array of stars in their rank, but we must not forget quickly that football is not about stars but team work.
“Though it’s a friendly game, I believe we can win the two matches if you look at the talents and understanding within the team,” he said.
Both games are slated for January 11 and January 19 respectively.