Brazil head coach Tite has defended the choice of
Nigeria and Senegal as the Selecao’s opponents for
next month’s international friendly games after fans
expressed their disaffection on the choice made by
the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
According to reports, Majority of the fans are
unhappy with the quality of the oppositions and
have described both the Super Eagles and Teranga
Lions as 2018 World Cup flops.
Brazil – five-time world champions, will first clash
with the Teranga Lions of Senegal on October 10 at
the Singapore National Stadium before taking on
three-time African champions Nigeria at the same
venue on Sunday, October 13.
“We are looking for all the top ranked selection
teams. We are looking for the best teams from
different continents. We played against Peru, who
made the Copa America final with us and Colombia
who came out of the competition on penalties,
unbeaten and goalless. The level of these matches
was not low,” Tite was quoted by the CBF official
website.
The Selecao team coordinator, Juninho Paulista also
provided more insight on the decision to settle for
both opponents.
“We are always looking for strong opponents. We
try to keep this line of always facing the top 20
ranked teams. When it was not possible, we move
to the top 50. And exceptionally we play against
teams below that. Senegal is 20th on the list and
Nigeria 34th,” Juninho explained.
Also talking about the choice of opponents is
assistant coach Cléber Xavier, who explains a bit
more about the teams and goals with the friendly
matches.
“We are facing a second and third African opponent
in Senegal and Nigeria. We had only played against
Cameroon from Africa before, and it was a difficult
game,” Xavier stated.
“Senegal were the runner-up of the last African Cup
and participated in the last World Cup, Nigeria were
in the last three World Cups. They are very strong
teams, with most of their players playing in Europe
in medium and high level clubs.
“These are adversaries that we have to face,
because it will give us knowledge of teams from
this continent. In our project now is thinking of
World Cup qualifiers and Copa America, which also
have strong opponents, who play aggressively, with
quick transition.”
Young-po Reporters 