Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the date for the final friendly match between the Super Eagles and England’s Three Lions billed to take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Wembley Stadium in London.
The match is aimed to serve as Super Eagles’ final preparatory game for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, with their first match against Croatia in Kaliningrad coming exactly two weeks after.
Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 1st vice president and Chairman of the Federation’s Organizing Committee, confirmed this on Tuesday: “The match is now confirmed. We had been doing a lot of work in the background, even going back to last year.
“Now, we are happy to say that it is all sealed. Certainly, it is going to be a big match, between two countries of remarkable historical affinity and similarities.
“We have other matches and programs for the team, and we will soon roll out the entire plan for matches, camping sites and training camps.”
One of the promises made by Pinnick at the onset of his administration was that he would actualize a match between the senior teams of Nigeria and England. That has now become a reality – another promise fulfilled.
England will also play Nigeria at Wembley and Costa Rica at Elland Road on June 2 and 7 June 7 in their final friendly matches ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
England’s first match at the World Cup is against Tunisia on 18 June.
The England manager said: “We’re going into a World Cup where we will play African and Central American opposition, so we get that with the games against Nigeria and Costa Rica, but it’s not just about the games we’ve got in the group but hopefully beyond that as well.
“We want to expose the team to different styles and different experiences.”
England played friendlies in Manchester and Sunderland in the build-up to Euro 2016 but this will be the first time they have played in Yorkshire since 2002, a 2-1 defeat by Italy at Elland Road.
“All of the feedback from the team before Euro 2016 was really positive, the players enjoyed it and it was definitely well received by the public,” added Southgate.
“It’s nice when we have an opportunity to take the team on the road.”
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr said he was delighted to hear that his side will be playing a friendly game against England. “This is good news for myself and the entire team. England is a very strong team presently and I believe they will give us a very good match. We will be able to test our readiness for the World Cup when we meet the Three Lions at Wembley.”
The Super Eagles are paired in Group D along side Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.
England is one of only eight countries to have won any of the previous 20 editions of the FIFA World Cup finals.
The Super Eagles already have a confirmed date with Poland in Warsaw on 23rd March. Other dates are 27th March and 27th May.
Anthony Nlebem
