Football | Super Eagles
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It is now safe to tag this warm-up contest a pre-World Cup game. Italy and Nigeria are now confirmed for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria's Super Eagles come into this tune-up tie after dispatching Ethiopia in Calabar to win a place at next year's World Cup on 4-1 aggregate having won the first leg 2-1 in Addis Ababa in October.
The Italians sealed their place at the 2014 Mundial after a 2-2 draw against Armenia. And on Friday, the Azzurris of Italy played out a 1-1 draw in an international friendly with Germany at the San Siro in Milan.
This Monday, the African champions will test their strength against four-time world champions, Italy at the Craven Cottage in London.
Head-to-head meetings
It is the second time Italy and Nigeria will come face-to-face at the senior level.
On July 5, 1994, the Italians downed the Super Eagles 2-1 in the round of 16 at the Fifa World Cup in the USA. Many Nigerians will not forget how the Eagles were two minutes away from a famous upset after Emmanuel Amuneke had scored first before Roberto Baggio equalised and then scored the winner in extra time.
Interestingly, Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi were part of the 1994 set.
"There's no plan for a revenge. It's a test game for the team and we will treat it as such. At the same, we'll take it serious," Keshi said to supersport.com.
That 1994 game will count for nothing this time except for a psychological edge for the Italians. Both teams will miss key players owing to injuries.
The Italians are without Juventus defender, Andrea Barzagli. He is ruled out with a thigh injury and has returned to Italy to join up with his club.
For Nigeria, Obinna Nsofor is a surprise exclusion. The Russian-based forward has been ruled out of the international friendly after suffering a knock in the game against Ethiopia. He is expected to undergo a scan on Monday.
“I would really love to play this game but there is nothing I can do now because of the injury,” said Nsofor.
Star players
However, there will be no shortage of top players from both sides should their coaches opt to stick to their starters.
Italy have got big names in goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli among others.
John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa and Shola Ameobi are just among those that are available for this clash for Nigeria.
How they might play
But a number of the big names might not feature apart from the injured. Italy manager, Cesare Prandelli might opt to start with either Federico Marchetti or Salvatore Sirigu in goal.
Prandelli should give Nigerian-born defender, Angelo Ogbonna, a chance to start in the absence of the injured Barzagli while the like of De Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo as well as Balotelli could be considered.
Keshi, on the other hand, might decide to go with an unchanged line-up from the game against Ethiopia. But Newcastle forward, Ameobi, presents him with an alternative up front if he decides to start Emenike or Ideye from the bench. Austin Ejide will also be rubbing his palms and hope to start in goal in place of first-choice Enyeama.
2013 form guide
Italy have only lost to Brazil and Argentina this year in all competitions. Spain are the other side to defeated them but that was through spot kicks during the Fifa Confederations Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil in June.
The Nigerians have lost one game more than the Italians this year. Losses to Uruguay and Spain at the Confederations Cup and then a recent loss in Amman to Jordan in an international friendly remain the dent on the Super Eagles run in 2013.
Outcome
The contrasting form guides of the teams will matter less in this tie. But the Italians are favourite to win this game.
The result might seem unimportant now but it will count in points for Fifa's monthly rankings.
The Italy-Nigeria match is live on SuperSport 3, Select and in High Definition from 9.40pm CAT this Monday.
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