Eagles ready to fly past Cranes

The Super Eagles will today in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state hope to improve on their record against the Cranes of Uganda when they clash in an international friendly encounter.

The Nigerian national team had won two and lost three of the previous six meetings between the sides.
However, Vincent Enyeama’s milestone remains prominent in today’s encounter as the Lille FC of France net minder is expected to win his 100th cap against Uganda, following the initial opponent, Bolivia’s withdrawal.

On March 14, 1978, Nigeria lost an Africa Cup of Nations semi final to Uganda 1-2 in Ghana. Uganda eventually lost to Ghana in the final match of the tournament.

The last time both teams squared off was on June 2, 2007, the Cranes coming from behind to win 2-1 after John Utaka had put Nigeria ahead in a 2008 Nations Cup qualifier in Kampala.
The Cranes won the CECAFA Cup a record 13 times but failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 1978.
It was in Uyo that Nigerians witnessed the Super Eagles encounter Bafana Bafana in a 30th Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday, 19th November 2014. The match ended 2-2.
The Cranes will miss four of their regular players for the clash against Nigeria. The duo of Isaac Isinde and Brian Umony were not released either by their Ethiopian Club, St George, while defender Murushid Juuko from Simba SC in Tanzania also failed to make the trip.