Nigeria to play England June 2, other games

Nigeria FA officials have confirmed that Nigeria will play four friendly games as part of their preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Nigeria federation boss Amaju Pinnick told Extrasportsnigeria.com on Tuesday in Agege, Lagos that apart from the game against Poland slated for March 23, 2018, the Super Eagles will also play England on June 2, 2018 at Wembley, which would probably be the team’s last friendly game before the World Cup kicks off.

Also, Eagles are expected to play two friendly games on March 27, 2018 and May 27, though the names of the teams have not been released by the Federation.

The NFF is considering playing another friendly on June 6, 2018, but Pinnick said there are still serious doubts about the match because of its nearness to the World Cup.

He said, “The fifth friendly is doubtful because it is too close to the World Cup proper.

“Though the coach want to use the friendly as training one, we are very mindful of the implication in terms of injury because by then we would have submitted the team list.”

Pinnick, however, did not disclose some of the teams that the Eagles will play against.

The NFF boss re-emphasised that his reason for seeking CAF Executive Committee seat was because of Nigeria’s overall interest.

He said that it would have been difficult if not impossible for Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup if the old order at CAF had remained.

“I confided in some executive members of the NFF of the need to contest the CAF seat. I told them that if we did not qualify for the World Cup, we are finished. With Nigeria grouped alongside Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, it would have been difficult upstaging Cameroon for obvious reasons.

“Hence I have to put my hat in the ring, I have to take the risk, and today it paid off. Running for CAF seat was not because of personal ambition but because of the desire to ensure that Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.”