Super Eagles to face Kosovo's national team in friendly game during next Fifa window

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles will face Kosovo's national team during the next Fifa window as part of a bilateral arrangement aimed at strengthening sporting and diplomatic ties between both nations.

Both nations, who are absent from the ongoing World Cup to the chagrin of their fans, intend to meet for the first time ever soon. Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Glauk Konjufca, announced the planned match during a courtesy visit to the director-general of Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, in Abuja yesterday.

Mr Konjufca explained that football would be one of the major areas of cooperation between both nations. Although both countries have agreed in principle to the idea, the date, kick-off time and venue for the friendly are yet to be confirmed, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Kosovo's football authorities expected to continue discussions before making an official announcement.

Nigeria, under head coach Eric Chelle, have continued to arrange quality friendly matches as they prepare for future competitive fixtures. Over recent months, the Super Eagles have faced Portugal, Poland, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Jordan and Iran in recent months.

Kosovo, who only played their first international match in 2014, will enter the proposed friendly with confidence despite being one of the youngest national teams in world football. Managed by Franco Foda, the Dardanians came close to qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup but lost 1-0 to Turkey in the European play-offs.

On paper, Nigeria have a much richer football history as the Super Eagles have qualified for five Fifa World Cups and reached the Round of 16 three times, in 1994, 1998 and 2014. They are also three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, winning the title in 1980, 1994 and 2013, while finishing as runners-up on five occasions.

Nigeria also made history by winning Africa's first Olympic football gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games and have lifted the Fifa U-17 World Cup trophy five times. Kosovo, by comparison, only became a Fifa member in 2016 and are still building their football.

For now, Kosovo have never qualified for either the World Cup or the European Championship, although reaching the European play-offs for the 2026 World Cup marked their best campaign so far. However, with top talents like Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani and Fenerbahçe striker Vedat Muriqi, Kosovo will fancy their chances against the Super Eagles when the friendly is confirmed.