Iwobi and Simon Close in on Century Mark as Nigeria Seeks Victory Over Jordan

Nigeria's Super Eagles are scheduled to face Jordan in an international friendly match in Antalya on Tuesday, with Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon poised to move closer to achieving a notable milestone, one that would place them among the elite group of Nigerian football legends, as they edge towards 100 international appearances.

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Iwobi is on the verge of earning his 98th cap, while Simon is set to make his 97th appearance, bringing them within striking distance of the prestigious 'centurion' mark, a feat accomplished by only a select few Nigerian players, including Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, and Joseph Yobo.

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The upcoming friendly match presents an opportunity for the Super Eagles to build upon their recent 2-1 victory over Iran, a game in which Simon scored, reaffirming his significance in the team's attack and highlighting his enduring importance to the squad.

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However, head coach Éric Chelle will have to navigate the challenge with a depleted squad, as defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Bruno Onyemaechi are unavailable, leaving him with limited defensive options to choose from.

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Despite these absences, Nigeria heads into the fixture in strong form, having remained unbeaten in regulation time across their last five matches, a run that underscores the growing stability and cohesion within the team.

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Their opponents, Jordan, also known as Al-Nashama, are a formidable force, having already qualified for the FIFA World Cup and demonstrating impressive form, with only one loss in their last five games, as well as notable wins over Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt, and a draw against Costa Rica.

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Coach Chelle is expected to make adjustments to his defence, with Zaidu Sanusi likely to step in, and Bright Osayi-Samuel potentially retaining his place at right-back, as the team seeks to adapt to the absence of key defenders.

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In midfield, Iwobi is set to combine with captain Wilfred Ndidi, forming a key partnership, while Simon is also expected to play a crucial role in attack, alongside other options such as Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams.

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Both Iwobi and Simon have been consistent figures for Nigeria over the years, adapting to managerial changes and evolving squad dynamics, a testament to their enduring importance and longevity in the national team setup.

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Tuesday's match not only provides momentum for upcoming games but also brings Iwobi and Simon one step closer to becoming Nigeria's most capped players, as the Super Eagles seek to secure back-to-back wins.

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The Jordan vs Nigeria match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 pm Nigerian time.