Our prediction for this match:
Ecuador
Match Time & Date:
02/06/2022
03:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Nigeria
Ecuador and Nigeria square off against each other at Red Bull Arena in what is expected to be an interesting international friendly. Unlike the Super Eagles, La Tri did well to secure their spot at the 2022 World Cup finals, meaning that they are high on spirits ahead of Thursday’s warm-up game. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be experienced forward Enner Valencia, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-line.
The African outfit, on the other hand, were beaten by Ghana in the World Cup playoffs. Nigeria are eager to get back on course as soon as possible, but beating Ecuador is easier said than done. The two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment; therefore, we are tempted to put our money on draw. New Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro can’t count on the likes of Okoye, Sanusi, Shehu, Etebo, Okechukwu, Yusuf, Tijani, Sadiq, and Chukwueze for Thursday’s friendly.
Highlighted Player (Enner Valencia):
Enner Valencia is a prolific 26-year-old striker who plays for West Ham United in the English Premier League. Nicknamed “Superman”, Valencia started his career with Emelec in 2010. He enjoyed league success with Emelec and was awarded the “Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot” in 2013.
He also played for Pachuca in Mexico winning the Liga MX Golden Boot in 2014. His goal-scoring record and pace caught the attention of West Ham which bought him for an estimated £12 million in July 2014. At international level, Valencia made his debut in 2012 and has represented the country in 24 games so far. He is one of Ecuador’s top ten goal scorers of all time with 14 goals.
He has already represented Ecuador at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Copa America tournaments. Enner Valencia is Ecuador’s joint top scorer – along with Agustin Delgado – in World Cup tournaments with three goals.
Highlighted Team (Nigeria):
Nigeria is an African national football team controlled by Nigeria Football Federation. The Super Eagles are well known for their green and white kits, but they played some descent football in the past as well. The Nigerians did well to qualify for six of last seven World Cup finals (as of 2018), with the team reaching the last six of the showpiece tournament three times.
Jay-Jay Okocha, Taribo West and Nwankwo Kanu are the most famous footballers that played for Nigeria. The Super Eagles played their first official match back in October 1949 while still a Brittish colony and it has to be noted that they were ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings in April 1994, which remains the highest FIFA ranking position ever achieved by a national team from Africa.
Speaking of the African Cup of Nations, Nigeria won the tournament on three occasions: 1980, 1994 and 2013, with the team finishing as runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.
Man City 
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