Coachless Super Eagles set to renew jollof war with Ghana, Mali in Marrakech showdowns

The Super Eagles will face West African rivals Ghana and Mali in two high-profile international friendlies in Marrakech, Morocco later this month.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the Eagles will reignite their long-standing rivalry with the Black Stars on Friday, March 22nd at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in a fixture sure to have an extra edge following their dramatic 2022 World Cup qualifying clash.

Ghana edged that two-legged playoff tie on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline, denying Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.

The Black Stars were also victorious when the two sides last met in a friendly back in 2015, so the Super Eagles will be desperate to re-assert their dominance over their neighbours in Marrakech.

Just four days later, Nigeria will take on another familiar foe in Mali at the same venue on Tuesday, March 26th.

The two nations, who share the 'Eagles' nickname, have been regular opponents over the years with their most recent meeting coming in a 2016 friendly in France which finished goalless.

However, Nigerian fans will have fonder memories of their 4-1 semi-final triumph over Mali at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations en route to lifting the trophy.

These two prestige friendlies in Morocco have been arranged by the Nigerian Football Federation to give the Super Eagles, who are without a manager following Jose Peseiro’s departure, the chance to continue their preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which begin in June.

Nigeria were beaten finalists at the most recent AFCON in January, suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, in the final in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles will be determined to go one better next time around and get valuable minutes under their belt against Ghana and Mali as they bid to reclaim the continental crown.

Matches between the West African heavyweights always have an extra edge and these two friendlies in Marrakech are sure to be explosive affairs as Nigeria looks to re-establish its dominance in the region.