Nigeria To Face Argentina In High-Profile Friendly

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face their nemesis and 2-time world champions Argentina in a high-profile international friendly next month according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The news of the Argentina friendly, scheduled for the Russian city of Krasnodar on Tuesday, November 14, was confirmed by the body’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Speaking earlier this weekend, Dr. Sanusi revealed that almost all the arrangements for the game slated for the Krasnodar Arena have been concluded subject to approval from world football governing body, FIFA, and agreeable flight arrangements.

In his words, Dr. Sanusi said:

“We have had long and fruitful talks, and we can say that we have an agreement. We await the approval by FIFA and also, we have to agree on the flight arrangements that would be comfortable for the players and crew.

“The match will come up on 14th November, four days after the Super Eagles’ final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Algeria. We had offers from teams like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Morocco but we have opted for the Argentines.” he added.

Nigeria is expected to face the Fennecs of Algeria at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in Constantine four days (Friday, November 10) before the friendly against Argentina.

The Algeria game is the team’s final qualifying match in Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (CAF section). The game is academic as the Super Eagles have already taken the only World Cup slot from the group.

The last time Nigeria and Argentina faced off in an international friendly game was in 2011. The first match in Abuja in June ended 4-1 in favour of the Super Eagles before The Albiceleste of Argentina won the second encounter 3-1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh three months later.