The Teslim Balogun Stadium pitch won't hold the Super Eagles back against the Lone Stars with Troost-Ekong pointing out that the playing surface is in optimal shape compared to their last game against Lesotho in March 2021.

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's training session, Troost-Ekong said : "We are really happy and the pitch is looking good compared to the last time we were here, they worked on it very well so we have to give them credit for that, and I'm just hoping the weather is not going to be too much rain, so we can be ready to play on Friday.

"When I look at the team and I look at the training session today and the kind of players we're playing with I think we have all the right to be confident but we always have to stay humble and we have to respect the opponent as well, so we know they are good as well.

"I am very happy to play in this team, it's a very exciting time to be part of the Super Eagles, we've got so much quality so we are confident".

Apart from Troost-Ekong, the likes of Kenneth Omeruo, Valentine Ozornwafor, Leon Balogun and Chidozie Awaziem are central defensive options for manager Gernot Rohr to call upon against Liberia.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel