Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria lineup
After the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage exit, the Saudi Arabia national football team haven’t been quite able to get things going their way. The Saudi side have won only one game against the Yemen national football team while losing all the last six games they have played. With former Italy national team boss Roberto Mancini given the reigns in August end, they will hope for a better display this time around.
The player had a sensational 2022-23 season. His 26 goals won him the Serie A Golden Boot which also aided in his team SSC Napoli‘s victory in the competition. The player was on many clubs’ transfer wish in the summer transfer window but the Naples-based club managed to keep hold of him. Victor Osimhen scored a hat trick for the Super Eagles in the last game and will be a key player against the Saudi team.
Match Facts
- The last time both sides met was back in May 2010. The game ended 0-0 in an international friendly
- The Saudi Arabia team will be looking to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat
- Nigeria are on three consecutive wins where they scored 10 goals while conceding only 2.
The Nigeria national football team will be going into this friendly against the Saudi Arabia team with much ease of mind. They have finished Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification as table toppers. In their final group game, a 6-0 humbling of São Tomé and Príncipe national football team was recorded. After the Saudi fixture, Nigeria have another friendly against the Mozambique national team before they set foot in the World Cup African qualifiers in November.
Kick-Off:
Friday, 13 October 2023 at 5:00 PM BST (9:30 PM IST)
Location: Estádio Municipal de Portimão
Form
Saudi Arabia (in all competitions): L-L-L-L-L
Nigeria (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-L
Players to Watch
Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
Even though Al Hilal have signed top players from across Europe like Neymar, Malcom and Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Al-Dawsari still fares well alongside them. In the Saudi Pro League, the left winger has played 9 games. In those games, the 32-year-old netted 6 times while also providing an assist. Most notably, his goal gave the Saudi team a 2-1 win against Lionel Messi‘s Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
The player had a sensational 2022-23 season. His 26 goals won him the Serie A Golden Boot which also aided in his team SSC Napoli‘s victory in the competition. The player was on many clubs’ transfer wish in the summer transfer window but the Naples-based club managed to keep hold of him. Victor Osimhen scored a hat trick for the Super Eagles in the last game and will be a key player against the Saudi team.
Match Facts
- The last time both sides met was back in May 2010. The game ended 0-0 in an international friendly
- The Saudi Arabia team will be looking to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat
- Nigeria are on three consecutive wins where they scored 10 goals while conceding only 2
