Super Eagles of Nigeria now turn their attention to Jordan in their second and final friendly of the March international window on Tuesday, following their win over Iran, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ahead of the game, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions eye another impressive performance following their excellent run of 19 official matches unbeaten, 13 wins, six draws, 37 goals scored, and just 14 conceded.
Jordan vs Super Eagles: Iran win set the tone
Friday’s display against Iran shows that the Super Eagles have developed a clear identity under their Malian gaffer.
Moses Simon opened the scoring inside six minutes, cutting in from the left and finishing low past Alireza Beiranvand.
Akor Adams, deputising for the injured Victor Osimhen, added a second shortly after half-time with a composed dink following a clever pass from Ademola Lookman.
Mehdi Taremi’s close-range effort from a corner reduced Iran’s deficit, but Nigeria comfortably managed the closing stages.
What Nigeria know about Jordan
Tuesday’s clash will be just the third senior meeting between the two nations, and the overall record is level at one win each.
Nigeria won 2-0 in the first encounter, a 2004 LG Cup semi-final in Lagos, through goals from Emeka Akueme and Chukwudi Nworgu.
In 2013, Jordan avenged their defeat by defeating a home-based Super Eagles squad 1-0 in Amman, thanks to a Hatem Aqel strike.
This time, however, will be different as it is the first time a full-strength Nigerian squad has faced Jordan, and the personnel quality gap should be apparent even if Chelle rotates heavily.
Jordan, ranked 64th in the world compared to Nigeria’s 26th, are preparing for their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance this summer, where they have been drawn in a demanding Group J alongside Argentina, Austria, and Algeria.
Every match matters to coach Jamal Sellami, the 55-year-old Moroccan tactician who guided Jordan to World Cup qualification within 12 months of his appointment and took them to the FIFA Arab Cup final in December.
In their own friendly on Friday, Jordan drew 2-2 with Costa Rica, leading twice through Baha’ Faisal and Ibrahim before conceding a damaging 91st-minute equaliser. That late collapse will concern Sellami and could be a vulnerability Nigeria look to exploit.
Jordan’s strengths and weaknesses
Jordan’s biggest threat is Mousa Al-Tamari, the Stade Rennais winger often dubbed “the Jordanian Messi” for his dribbling ability.
Al-Tamari has 21 goals in 70 caps and five assists in the French league this season—he is the creative heartbeat of everything Jordan does going forward.
However, Jordan are significantly weakened up front. Star striker Ali Olwan, sidelined after ankle ligament surgery, scored a hat-trick in the famous 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Oman and finished as the Arab Cup’s top scorer with six goals.
Forward Yazan Al-Naimat is also out with a thigh problem, while defender Tammer Bany required surgery on a similar injury in late December.
Those absences strip Jordan of serious firepower and could make the match an easy win for Nigeria. Sellami’s preferred 3-4-3 formation makes his defence solid, but leaves the wingbacks vulnerable to Nigeria’s pace on the flanks, where players like Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Yira Sor Collins, and Philip Otele can do damage.
What Chelle May Change
Having fielded a strong side against Iran — with Maduka Okoye in goal behind a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, and Bruno Onyemaechi, with Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi anchoring midfield — Chelle is expected to rotate for the Jordan game.
This is the second match in four days, and with AFCON 2027 qualifiers on the horizon this summer, managing workloads is essential.
Players who came off the bench against Iran—Paul Onuachu, Chidera Ejuke, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru—are all likely to push for starting spots.
Debutant Emmanuel Fernandez, who replaced Ajayi at half-time on Friday, could earn his first start. Raphael Onyedika may come in for Ndidi or Iwobi in midfield to give the senior duo a breather.
Meanwhile, Genk’s Yira Sor Collins and Hamburg’s Philip Otele remain uncapped and could feature from the bench or even from the start as Chelle continues to expand his options.
Francis Uzoho is likely to replace Okoye in goal, while Zaidu Sanusi could come in at left-back for Onyemaechi.
Both Ajayi and Ogbu are reportedly carrying minor knocks, which makes Fernandez’s inclusion at centre-back a real possibility, along with whoever is fit enough to partner with him.
Calvin Bassey’s absence through a back injury continues to be felt, though his replacement, Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu, gives Chelle a versatile option who can play centre-back or drop into defensive midfield.
