Nigeria’s Victor Moses says he is willing to play in any position on the field to help the Super Eagles to victory over Algeria’s Desert Foxes in their Russia 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
Moses has nailed down a regular first-team role at Chelsea after the Blues’ Italian manager Antonio Conte made him an integral part of his plans, deploying the 25-year-old Nigeria winger in his 3-4-3 system as a wing-back. The system has seen the 2012 UEFA Champions League champions picking up maximum points in five Premier League games on the spin.
The winger who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, said on Thursday he would play any role given him by Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr in the tricky Uyo clash.
“I can’t say I’m not happy playing as a wing-back, I’m the type who gives his all to his team regardless of where I’m playing from,” the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner told reporters.
“I’m a forward minded player but I don’t mind playing anywhere to help my team.”
He added, “Club side and national team are not the same. I can’t say where the manager will play me but I’m ready to give my best in any role.”
Similarly, Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi predicted a tough game against Algeria.
“Any side playing against Nigeria these days tend to raise their game so we know the task ahead of us,” the Turkey-based player said.
“We don’t want to talk too much in the press but just focus on what we have to do.”
He added, “We don’t need to speak too much but we will try to concentrate on ourselves.
“We also want Nigerians to know that the game against Algeria on Saturday is not going to be easy.”
Meanwhile, Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez says the Desert Foxes will run out winners at the Uyo Stadium on Saturday.
“We will make the necessary efforts to snatch this qualification and it will pass by a victory against Nigeria. We are determined more than ever to go home with victory because we have a team of brother warriors and we will prove it on the field to make our people proud of Algeria,” the Leicester City winger wrote on his Facebookpage.
The PFA Player of the Year award winner, who is on the 30-man shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d’Or after scoring 17 goals and claiming 11 assists on Leicester’s way to the Premier League title last season, is expected to give Nigeria defenders a torrid time.
