As official World Cup qualifying is set to resume, the Mexican National team will suit up one final time before their June international schedule beefs up with an international friendly against Nigeria.
When and Where to Watch Friendly
With both teams hoping to play well in their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, Mexico and Nigeria will meet on Friday, May 31st from Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas in what should be a tremendous preview of what lies ahead at the Brazil tournament.
The international friendly can be seen at 9:00pm, EDT on the ESPNNews channel.
For those not able to get in front of a television, ESPN3.com will be carrying the event and an on-line live stream can be found by following this link.
Match Preview
While there won't be a ton on the line in this final tune-up, Mexico and Nigeria should get a good look at their individual talent as both have visions of competing at a high level next June when the World Cup begins in Brazil.
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Winning the African Cup of Nations this year with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the tournament final, Nigeria looks to be a team on the rise as they've played consistent soccer this year.
With loads of firepower on offense, the Nigerian team features a tremendous goalkeeper in Vincent Enyeama. The 30-year-old has been with the national team since 2002 where he's made 77 appearances, including a shutout in the aforementioned African Cup Final. Considered the top goalie in Africa, Enyeama certainly has the capability to keep his Nigerian squad in each match moving forward.
The offensive support for Enyeama and the Nigerian nationals will mostly come from star forward Sunday Mbah.
Notching the only goal in the African Final back in February, Mbah holds the capability to become a nightmare for opposing defensive units.
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In 10 appearances with the national club since joining them in 2012, the 24-year-old has scored 5 goals and if Nigeria is able to make a significant run in qualifying and eventually the World Cup, expect Mbah's tally number to increase.
When Nigeria takes to the pitch tonight, they'll be introduced to one of the top offensive units in the world.
The Mexican national team has the perfect blend of speed and strength, headlined - of course - by the play of Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.
A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Chicharito joined the national team in 2009. Appearing in 46 contests with El Tri, the 24-year-old striker already has a total of 30 goals and he will certainly be a focal point of the Mexican offense Friday night against Nigeria.
While the Nigerian squad will at times be completely fixated on Hernandez, Hector Moreno will become all the more valuable in the friendly and throughout World Cup qualifying.
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A member of the national team since 2007, Moreno patrols the defensive zones as one of the premier center backs in the sport. Though he doesn't light up scoreboards primarily due to his being a defender, Moreno has a case to be considered the most important player to the national club outside of Chicharito because of his overall leadership and consistent defensive support.
International Friendly Wrap-Up
Friday night's contest between El Tri and Nigeria will undoubtedly draw a high number of fans and plenty more viewers watching from home.
This contest from Houston's Reliant Stadium should be a clear indication of whether or not Mexico and Nigeria are capable of competing in the upcoming World Cup. Early indications show that both units are formidable squads surely talented enough to make a deep run in the 2014 tournament.
The match is set to begin at 9:00pm, EDT with television coverage available through ESPNNews.
ESPN3.com will also offer coverage and an on-line live stream will be accessible by following this link.
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