Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Jordan in an international friendly in Antalya on Tuesday, with Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon closing in on a rare milestone that could see them join an elite group of Nigerian football greats.
Both players are expected to feature in the encounter, offering them another opportunity to edge closer to 100 international appearances. Iwobi is set to earn his 98th cap, while Simon is on 97, putting them within touching distance of the prestigious ‘centurion’ mark achieved by only a handful of players in the country’s history.
So far, just three Nigerians — Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo — have reached the milestone, underlining the significance of the feat Iwobi and Simon are pursuing.
The friendly also presents a chance for the Super Eagles to build on their recent 2-1 victory over Iran, a game in which Simon found the net, reaffirming his importance in the team’s attack.Head coach Éric Chelle will, however, have to manage a depleted squad heading into the clash, with defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi unavailable, leaving him with limited options at the back.
Despite the absences, Nigeria head into the fixture in strong form, having remained unbeaten in regulation time across their last five matches, a run that highlights growing stability within the team.
Jordan, known as Al-Nashama, arrive as a formidable opponent. Already qualified for the FIFA World Cup, they have shown impressive form, losing just once in their last five games while recording notable wins over Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, and a draw against Costa Rica.
Chelle is expected to make adjustments to his defence, with Zaidu Sanusi likely to step in, while Bright Osayi-Samuel could retain his place at right-back. In midfield, Iwobi is set to combine with captain Wilfred Ndidi.
Simon, whose international career began in 2015, is also expected to play a key role in attack, alongside options such as Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.Both Iwobi and Simon have remained consistent figures for Nigeria over the years, adapting through managerial changes and evolving squad dynamics, a testament to their importance and longevity in the national team setup.
In addition to providing momentum for upcoming games, Tuesday’s match puts Iwobi and Simon one step closer to becoming Nigeria’s most capped players as the Super Eagles look to win back-to-back games.
Jordan vs Nigeria kickoff time is 6:30 pm Nigerian time.