By Vitus Michael

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF have confirmed the dates for the Super Eagles 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and Mauritius, bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The matches which would be Super Eagles competitive games since they failed to secure the ticket to 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year will hold in early June.

Nigeria will first host Sierra Leone on 9th June at home but will be on the road for the matchday 2 of the qualifiers for a date with Mauritius on June 13.

“Nigeria host Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 9th June as from 5pm, before flying to St. Pierre for their encounter with the Les Dodos at the Cote D’Or National Sports Complex, St. Pierre as from 1pm Mauritius time (10am Nigeria) on Monday, 13th June,” the release on Friday by the NFF said.

However, deputy captain William Ekong and forwards Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi are in the famous city in the State of Texas as the Eagles are set for the clash with the Mexicans on Saturday night. Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and Innocent Bonke, and forwards Cyril Dessers and Terem Moffi are also part of the party.

Eight home –based professionals, including goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, defender Ibrahim Buhari, midfielder Chiamaka Madu and forwards Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Kayode Rafiu are also in the US to fight for shirts.

Uzoho and Awaziem departed from Istanbul on Thursday morning and arrived the team’s The Adolphus Hotel in the evening, taking the number of players in camp to 19. Only forward Cyriel Dessers was still being expected on Friday morning.

After the clash with El Tri, the Super Eagles’ contingent will fly into the State of New Jersey on 29th May, for their scheduled friendly against Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June.

The match against Sierra Leone will be behind closed doors following FIFA sanction on the NFF.

The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF confirmed during the week that the qualifying race will commence from June 1st, 2022.

Super Eagles reached the Last 16 of the 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon early in the year where they were knocked out by Tunisia in a 1-0 victory.