Match preview: Costa Rica vs. Nigeria – Super Eagles seek to puncture holes in Los Ticos’ World Cup preparations

The Central Individuals are placing the ending touches to their preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Costa Rica will lock horns with Nigeria on the nation’s Nationwide Stadium in San Jose in what’s the first of Los Ticos’ final two pleasant matches earlier than the beginning of the 2022 FIFA Males’s World Cup in Qatar.

In Qatar, Costa Rica is not going to face any African opposition within the round-robin stage, having been grouped with Spain, Japan, and Germany.

However La Tricolor have resolved to check their wits and would possibly towards three-time African champions, the Tremendous Eagles.

The Tremendous Eagles is not going to be in Qatar after shedding out on a World Cup ticket to everlasting rivals Ghana within the last playoffs.

However delight can be at stake for the West Africans as they search to pad their disagreeable document towards North American groups.

Nigerian crew information

The Tremendous Eagles arrived in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica and the venue of the match, early on Monday morning.

The Nigerian delegation comprised of, however not restricted to, two coaches and 18 home-based gamers and have been lodged at Actual Intercontinental Resort, San Jose.

Within the absence of international Tremendous Eagles stars corresponding to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Everton’s Alex Iwobi, and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, coach Salisu Yusuf will look to rely on the talents of the gamers drawn from golf equipment within the Nigeria Skilled Soccer League.

Costa Rican crew information

Los Ticos are making their seventh look on the 2022 FIFA World Cup and are eager to make an impression much like 2014 after they reached the quarterfinals earlier than shedding out to the Netherlands on penalties.

This present Costa Rican aspect is just not as gifted as that 2014 crew, however they nonetheless boast the expertise of PSG’s shot-stopper Keylor Navas (PSG), former Arsenal ahead Joel Campbell, and captain Bryan Ruiz.

Preparations have gone easily to date, with La Tricolor shedding none of their final 4 matches. That first rate run additionally contains notable victories over Martinique, New Zealand, and Uzbekistan.

And including Nigeria to that record simply earlier than the Mundial kicks off will increase morale in La Tricolor’s camp in no small measure.

Head-to-head document

This would be the first worldwide match between Costa Rica and Nigeria.

Los Ticos, nonetheless, have a combined document towards African opposition. Costa Rica boast one win every over Cameroon and Tunisia, however have suffered two defeats to South Africa.

Against this, Nigeria have an unpleasant document towards CONCACAF representatives. The Tremendous Eagles have misplaced three of six matches to Mexico, tasted defeat twice in three video games towards the USA, and have received simply two of six video games towards Jamaica.

Match particulars

Competitors: Worldwide pleasant match
Sport: Costa Rica vs. Nigeria
Venue: Nationwide Stadium in San Jose
Date: Thursday, tenth November 2022
Kickoff time: 3 am, Nigerian time

What’s subsequent?

Costa Rica will play their final pleasant match with Iran subsequent week earlier than lining up for his or her World Cup opening match versus Spain on November 23.

Nigeria can have a lot of their greatest gamers again within the Tremendous Eagles squad forward of a extra anticipated pleasant towards Portugal on November 17.

Prediction

Costa Rica can be favourites to win as they’ve the benefit of enjoying in entrance of their residence followers towards an under-strength Nigerian crew.

This conflict would have taken a totally completely different complexion if the Tremendous Eagles had travelled to San Jose with Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, KRC Genk’s Paul Onuachu, and Lorient’s Terem Moffi, three of probably the most in-form gamers on this planet in the meanwhile.

The Tremendous Eagles B are an unpredictable lot, however there may be sufficient uncooked expertise within the squad to trigger La Tricolor some issues.

A win for Costa Rica, although, is not going to shock many.

Betting tip: Each groups to attain
Right rating tip: Costa Rica 2-1 Nigeria