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By Abiodun Adewale
As part of their preparations for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Nigeria will play a friendly match against Guinea in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Monday.
The 2023 AFCON holds from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria’s camp opened in the UAE on Tuesday and Guinea are among the six countries camping in the Middle East ahead of the tournament.
The friendly will be the only warm-up game for the Eagles, who were initially billed to play Burkina Faso and Cape Verde, before both games were called off.
The friendly will also wrap up Nigeria’s training camp in Dubai as the Eagles are billed to return to Nigeria Tuesday January 9, ahead of their departure to Ivory Coast via Lagos on Wednesday January 10.
Coach Jose Peseiro’s one-week camp began with 17 players in training on Wednesday, while the number grew to 22 as of Thursday morning.
Nigeria are seeking a fourth AFCON title, following triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013. The Eagles will take on Equatorial Guinea on January 14 in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Ivory Coast four days later. Their final group A game is against Guinea Bissau on January 22.
Guinea are also in a tricky group at this year’s AFCON as they will face Cameroon, Gambia and champions Senegal.