Salisu Yusuf, assistant coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Monday said that he would use more reserve players for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria on November 11.
Yusuf made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while speaking on the team’s preparation for the Algeria match.
He said that the match would enable the coaching crew to not only try the reserves but also select players for the finals in Russia.
“Some of the players have not been opportune to play, so this match will offer them such opportunity
“We know there is nothing to be scared of because we already have the World Cup ticket, but our interest now is to have a blended team,” Yusuf said.
The coach pledged that the Super Eagles would not lose any of their matches, adding that they were ready to win the game against Algeria.
The Super Eagles currently lead Group B with 13 points and will slug it out with the Algerian side on November 11, in Algiers.
Meanwhile, Nigeria moved up to the 41st position in the world and retained the fifth in Africa in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola world rankings released on Monday.
The rankings released by the world football governing body showed that Nigeria moved up three places from the 44th position in September, but maintained the fifth spot in Africa.
It said that Nigeria had 721 points compared to the 696 in September.
The report said that Tunisia became the new number in Africa and 28th in the world with 834 points while the former number one the continent, Egypt came second and 30th in the world with 818 points.
Senegal are number three in Africa and 32 in the world with 815 points while DR Congo are fourth on the continent and 35th in the world with 751 points.
African champions, Cameroon are sixth in the continent and 42nd in the world with 718 points.
In the top 10 ranked countries, Germany retained the number one position in the world with 1631 points while Brazil is second with 1619 points.
Portugal is third, Argentina fourth, Belgium fifth, Poland sixth and France seventh.
Osita Okeke, chairman Nigeria football supporters club, South Africa chapter, attributed Nigeria`s improvement to Super Eagles qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
“ From the matches against Cameroon and then Zambia, the Eagles played well and deserve improvement in the latest rankings.
“ I believe that the team will continue to do well, especially in the World Cup,” he said.
