Eagles to get their Nations Cup campaign going at Uyo against Sierra Leone in new kit

UYO'S Akwa Ibom International Stadium will host Nigeria's African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone on March 27 when the Super eagles will take to the pitch in their new Nike jerseys for the first time.

Contrary to an earlier media report that the match will hold at the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Uyo will now host the match. Apparently, the Benin Stadium is not yet fully ready as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) inspection team that recently visited there observed that the match is coming too soon for Benin City

An NFF spokesman said: “Benin City cannot host the Super Eagles game against Sierra Leone because of a number of reasons and that is why we have decided to return to Uyo. The Ogbemudia Stadium is not fully ready according to the report from our inspection team and even it will be ready, the stadium will be hosting the National Sports Festival at same period of the match.

“We chose to play on Friday March 27 to give us ample time to prepare for the return leg five days later. At least our players will have three days training after arriving from their respective clubs in Europe."

Nigeria will take to the pitch in its new Nike kit that was launched on Wednesday, February 5. Nike returned as the NFF kit sponsors in a deal signed in April 2015 and extended in 2018 and have put together a new jersey for the 2021 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Nike's new home kit comes in traditional green and white, with the white running down the middle from top to bottom, while the pitch green and white patterns hang on the shoulders just like an agbada. The away kit is all-grey with the pitch green and white patterns in the V-shaped collar and sleeves.