NIGERIA VS MEXICO: How Houston Showdown Will Set Tune For Super Eagles

 Again Nigerians expect the Super Eagles to come out of Nuremberg camp in Germany to give Mexico a good run for their money at the International friendly match billed for May 31 at the Reliant Stadium Houston Texas USA.

It's going to be a tight schedule in June. Just five days after the friendly, on June 5, the Nigerian team would be in Nairobi Kenya for the world cup qualifying game against the Harambe stars. And yet again, one week later, the team would travel to Windhoek Namibia before heading to Brazil for the Confederations cup.

Stephen Keshi, Nigeria national team coach, agrees it's quite a tight schedule, but the Mexico friendly is a good tune up match for his team. "We're hoping to have a good game with Mexico, considering the fact that both teams are preparing for the confederations cup." Keshi explained, "We're using the game at Houston to set the tune for the World cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia, then see how the team could blend better and improve its tactical approach before the Confederations cup.

Keshi has already called up 25 players to camp. The list might give you idea on how the Super Eagles would play.

The AFCON hero, Sunday Mba loss of form as well as the injuries of Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa, may greatly affect the speed and tenacity of the team upfront; as we saw in the game against Kenya in Calabar. Keshi is hoping that the newly called up Gambo Mohammed, Joseph Akpala and Uche Kalu, would bring a different flavor into the team; and a strike partner for the more consistent Brown Ideye.

Perhaps, the nucleus of the present Super Eagles team revolves around the Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and Mikel Obi and their newly found combine partner, Onazi Ogenyi of Lazio. "Moses is in great form for Chelsea and we hope he can replicate it in both Mexico, Kenya and Namibia games." said Daniel Amokachie, assistant Coach of the Super Eagles.

Well, if FIFA rankings is anything to go by, Mexico is currently ranked 16 and twelve places ahead of Nigeria at 28.

 The Super Eagles defenders, Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejinie... may be in for a copper test from the ruthless Manchester United - Mexico strike partner, Chicharito and the young star midfielder, Hector Herrira, who is billed for Porto this summer. The Mexican coach, Jose Manuel Chepo, is likely to call up Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona) and the thaw goal poacher, Carlos Vela (Real Sociadad) to strengthen his team.

The last time Nigeria and Mexico met in a friendly also, was in 2007 at Estadio Olimpico, Bento Juarez in Chihuahua Mexico. And the Mexican team had to come from behind to draw the game at 2 - 2.

NFF match agent, Eurodata sport marketing (Sportivp Eculturale) is proud to present another 'Grade A' friendly match to all Super eagles fans across the World. The match will begin by 9.00pm Texas time and 8.00pm Nigeria local time. It may be televised both on Satellite and most terrestrial TV station in Nigeria.