Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftains have given its nod to the choice of Austrian official Mr Manuel SCHUTTENGRUBER  as centre referee for tonight’s International friendly with Algeria.

DZ foot reported that Manuel will be assisted by Mr Roland BRANDNER (1st assistant) and Ms Sara TELEK (2nd assistant).The friendly match which is billed for Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt (7:30 p.m. Nigerian time) will see both countries rekindle their football rivalry after Algeria defeated Nigeria 2-1 in 2019 AFCON semi-finals in Egypt.

Nigeria eventually finished in third place but they’re yet to lose any match following their 2-2 draw with Ukraine and another 1-1 stalemate with Brazil. Super Eagles then went on to beat the Benin Republic 2-2 in AFCON 2021 qualifier matchday one and recorded another 4-2 win over Lesotho in Maseru on matchday 2.Coach Gernot Rohr will be without the services of Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen and Ogenekaro Etebo due injuries, but the German-born tactician will be eager to give Mikel Obi heir, Tijani Samson his first senior appearance in the middle of the pack.

But with Troost Ekong set to pair with any of defensive quartets of Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins and Semi Ajayi, Algeria will be coming against a watertight backline.It remains to be seen who will join Alex Iwobi and Tijani Samson in the midfield, but Rohr is not lacking in wingers and strikers with Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Samuel Kalu rearing to go for Super Eagles.

source:- fcnaija