AFCON 2025
When the Nigeria national football team take on the Jordan national football team on Tuesday, the focus will naturally be on Nigeria’s attacking names. But this Jordan team is not just showing up to defend.
They have players who can quietly swing the game if Nigeria lose concentration, even for a moment.
Here are three of them.
Mousa Al-Tamari
If there is one player in this Jordan team that can change the entire mood of the match, it is Mousa Al-Tamari.
He is not the kind of winger you allow to “grow into the game.” The moment he gets comfortable, he becomes a problem. He likes to receive the ball wide, run directly at defenders, and force mistakes. What makes him dangerous is not just speed, but decision-making. He knows when to dribble, when to cut inside, and when to release the ball.
Nigeria’s defence, especially the right side, will need to stay alert. One wrong step, one mistimed tackle, and Al-Tamari is already driving into space. He also has the confidence to shoot from difficult angles, which means defenders cannot afford to back off him too much; and to add, he has scored 21 goals in 71 appearances for Jordan.
In a game where Jordan will likely sit back and wait, he becomes their main outlet. Every counterattack will likely pass through him. If Nigeria does not manage him properly, he could easily be the difference.
Yazan Al-Arab
While Nigeria will look to attack, Yazan Al-Arab will be one of the biggest reasons Jordan believe they can hold firm.
He plays like a defender who enjoys physical battles. Crosses into the box, long balls, second balls, he is always ready for them. Against a Nigerian side that might use players like Paul Onuachu or Akor Adams, this becomes a direct contest of strength and timing.
What stands out about him is his positioning. He does not rush into challenges unnecessarily. He stays compact, reads the movement of attackers, and clears danger without panic. In a back-three system, he also communicates well, keeping the defensive line organized. And as a defender, he has scored 3 goals for Jordan, a stat Nigerians must be aware of during corners and set pieces.
If Nigeria plan to dominate through aerial balls or crosses, Al-Arab will be right there to challenge everything. And if he wins those early duels, it can frustrate the Nigerian attack and slow down their rhythm.
Ibrahim Sa’deh
Not every dangerous player is loud or flashy. Ibrahim Sa’deh is one of those players you may not notice immediately, but his influence is always there.
He does the difficult work in midfield. He tracks runners, blocks passing lanes, and helps his team stay compact. Against Nigeria, this role becomes very important because of players like Alex Iwobi who like to find spaces and move the ball quickly.
If Sa’deh does his job well, Nigeria might struggle to play through the middle. That forces them wide, which is exactly what Jordan want. From there, they can defend crosses and wait for mistakes.
Another key part of his game is transition. Once Jordan win the ball, he is often involved in the first pass forward. It might be simple, but it is usually effective, quickly connecting defence to attack.
In a tight match, players like Sa’deh are the ones who quietly tilt the balance.
