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The Super Eagles are set to play on an artificial pitch when they take on the Leone Stars in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has said his teammates have no excuse to complain about the state of the pitch when Nigeria take on Sierra Leone in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier on Sunday, June 18.
The Super Eagles resume their AFCON qualifying campaign when they take on Sierra Leone in their penultimate game of the series on Sunday.
Musa says pitch not an excuse for Nigeria
Nigeria won the reverse encounter last year, beating the Leone Stars 2-1 at the Moshoood Abiola Stadium.
However, while the first leg was played on natural grass, the match on Sunday is set to be played on a synthetic pitch.
The match is set to take place at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia, which has a synthetic pitch.
This has led to suggestions that Nigerian players may struggle to adapt to the conditions, even though the team has been training on a similar surface ahead of the match.
However, Musa has told his teammates that they have nothing to complain about the pitch as it was approved by CAF.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pulse Sports, the Sivasspor attacker insists the team just has to go out there and get the victory.
“What do we have to complain about? CAF has already approved the pitch, so we don’t have anything to say, Musa told Pulse Sports.
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“We just have to go there to win the game, which is the most important thing.
Musa urges his Super Eagles teammates to adapt
Musa did share sympathy with his teammates as almost all play football in Europe on natural grass.
Still, the Super Eagles captain insists they have to get used to it because this is Africa, where things are not easy. “If CAF has already nominated the pitch, there’s nothing we can do, Musa continued.
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We the players just have to get used to it. This is Africa, we are no more playing in Europe where we have everything.
“But in Africa, it is very difficult. We all know the mentality, the difficulties that we have in Africa, Musa added.
The Super Eagles need just a point from the game against Sierra Leone to qualify for next year’s AFCON in Ivory Coast.
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