A curious collision between two nations who have never met before takes place on Tuesday in Dnipro, where a Ukraine side known for their robust defensive qualities host African visitors more noted for their threat in attack.

With a mere distance of a little more than 9,000km between Lagos and the Dnipro-Arena, this is quite the way to start planning a comeback for a Nigeria side who have not played for almost two months. Ukraine, by contrast, are fresh from Euro 2020 qualifier action.

Match preview

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Nigeria are probably still trying to forget their agonising exit from this summer's Africa Cup of Nations, when they went out at the last gasp in their semi-final.

Riyad Mahrez's 95th-minute free kick provided the dramatic winner, ending Nigeria's hopes after tournament top-scorer Odion Ighalo's equaliser from the penalty spot 20 minutes from the end of normal time.

As well as being the precursor to their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, this first meeting with Ukraine is seen as an important strategic fixture by Nigeria Football Federation organisers.

The federation's President, Amaju Pinnick, described the trip as a "Grade A international friendly" when it was announced last month, praising it as an opportunity for Nigeria's young talents to showcase their abilities in Europe.

The future of their manager Gernot Rohr seemed less rosy in the aftermath of that AFCON despair and a 2018 World Cup in which his tactics were criticised as his side crashed out following two defeats in the group stage.

Well-travelled German coach Rohr appears to have kept his job for the time being, although his contract expires next summer.

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Ukraine have a commanding lead at the top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group B following their 3-0 win in Lithuania on Saturday.

A classy opener from silvery poacher Marlos was the first in an incisive attacking display, albeit against a side that coach Andriy Shevchenko would have expected his team to beat comfortably.

Already assured of a play-off place, they now have an eight-point lead at the top of the table over Portugal, who have two games in hand.

The hosts, for whom this is the first friendly of the year, have won five out of six games in 2019, as well as earning a creditable draw in Portugal in March.

They have kept clean sheets in each of their last three matches and won their last five home games.

Ukraine form: DDWWWW

Nigeria form: WLWWLW

Team News

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Nigeria have made a number of late call-ups, including Josh Maja, Brian Idowu and Anderson Esiti.

Henry Onyekuru withdrew from the squad and Wilfred Ndidi and Tyronne Ebuehi are recovering from injuries.

Twenty-one-year-old Club Brugge forward Dennis Bonaventure has replaced Onyekuru, joining the squad for the first time in his career.

Another youngster, 20-year-old Dusseldorf goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, is also a new addition, competing with Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho for a place between the sticks.

Centre-back Kenneth Omeruo is absent as he concentrates on playing more La Liga games for Leganes, who he joined permanently from Chelsea last month, in order to earn a work permit.

Shakhtar midfielder Serhiy Bolbat made his first start for Ukraine in the win in Lithuania, earning praise from Shevchenko for his confidence and willingness to support attacks.

West Ham United wideman Andriy Yarmolenko - a prolific presence for his country - returned from a long-term Achilles injury in Vilnius before being replaced in the second half.

Shevchenko says he expects to field a number of players who missed out on a starting spot on Saturday.

Ukraine possible starting lineup:
Pyatov; Burda, Plastun, Sobol, Matvyenko; Lunin, Bezus, Tsyhankov, Buyalsky; Konoplyanka, Yaremchuk

Nigeria starting lineup:
Ezenwa; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Aina, Idowu; Esiti, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Simon; Iheanacho, Osimhen

We say: Ukraine 1-1 Nigeria

In light of the NFF's apparent expectation that European scouts will be flocking to watch their team in action here, the visitors, who are making an arduous mid-season journey, should have more motivation to perform.

Ukraine coach Shevchenko might well send out a weaker team following his players' exertions in Lithuania on Saturday. Even so, his side's five-match winning run at home, including more than six hours without conceding a goal across four competitive fixtures, demonstrates the difficulty of beating them on their own soil.

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