Super Eagles will impress against Costa Rica – Tijani  Babangida

By Olu Dare

Nigeria football great Tijani Babangida says the Super Eagles will impress when they take on Costa Rica in Thursday’s international friendly.

The Ticos are participating in the 2022 Fifa World Cup billed for Qatar and as part of their major preparations, they will take on the three-time African champions in the country’s capital.

Although the Super Eagles are absent from the global football showpiece, the fixture will help strengthen Jose Peseiro’s men ahead of next year’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Babangida told Completesports: “I am delighted that the Super Eagles are playing quality friendly games to prepare them for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“The game against Costa Rica will definitely be a good one for the Super Eagles and I am optimistic they will fare better.

“Most importantly, we want to see the team play quality football that Nigerians will be happy with, and I hope to see that on Thursday.”

Considering Nigeria’s pedigree as one of Africa’s biggest teams, the fixture will help Costa Rica test their readiness for the Fifa World Cup.

Making their sixth appearance at the finals, Luis Fernando Suarez’s men have been zoned in Group E alongside Spain, Japan, and Germany as they hope to surpass their quarter-final finish achieved in Brazil 2014.