Super Eagles friendly: Costa Rica unleash PSG star, ex-Arsenal ace, 24 others for San Jose clash

The former CONCACAF kings will host the three-time African champions as part of their preparations ages of the World Cup

Costa Rica have invited 26 players for their international friendly match against Nigeria scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose on November 10.

La Tricolor are set to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this month and have put together a list comprising some of their best stars in Europe and America.

Included in the team to face Nigeria are Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas and former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell.

Coach Luis Suarez also called up Konyaspor’s defensive kingpin, Francisco Calvo and Nottingham Forest’s dynamic midfielder Brandon Aguilera.

In all, the team comprises three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eleven midfielders, and three strikers.

Meanwhile, Nigeria have only invited 18 home-based players for the friendly match against Costa Rica, the first-ever meeting between both countries at the senior level.

Assistant head coach Salisu Yusuf will lead the Super Eagles B. The three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners did not qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

At the global showpiece, Costa Rica will face Spain, Japan, and Germany in a difficult-looking Group E.

Costa Rica’s full squad
Goalkeepers
Keylor Navas (PSG)
Esteban Alvarado (Herediano)
Patrick Sequeira (Lugo)

Defenders
Keysher Fuller (Herediano)
Óscar Duarte (Al Wehda)
Juan Pablo Vargas (Millonarios)
Kendall Waston (Saprissa)
Bryan Oviedo (Real Salt Lake)
Carlos Martínez (San Carlos)
Francisco Calvo (Konyaspor)
Ronald Matarrita (Cincinnati)
Daniel Chacon (Colorado Rapids)

Midfielders
Celso Borges (Alajuelense)
Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano)
Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense)
Anthony Hernández (Puntarenas)
Brandon Aguilera (Nottingham Forest)
Jewison Bennette (Sunderland)
Youstin Salas (Saprissa)
Roan Wilson (Grecia)
Douglas López (Herediano)
Álvaro Zamora (Saprissa)
Gerson Torres (Herediano)

Attackers
Joel Campbell (León)
Johan Venegas (Alajuelense)
Anthony Contreras (Herediano)