English FA write to NFF asking for friendly game with Super Eagles in run-up to World Cup

ENGLISH Football Association officials have written to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) asking for a friendly match to be played between the Super Eagles and their national team in the run-up to the World Cup.

Like Nigeria, England have qualified for Russia 2018 and are looking to play a series of friendly matches in the run-up to the tournament to get the team prepared. Apparently, the English FA contacted their Nigerian counterparts shortly after the Super Eagles sealed progress to the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Zambia last month.

Apparently, the game has been slated for next year but it will only hold if both teams are not in the same group when the draws for the World Cup is made in December. Nigeria have only faced England twice with the first game taking place in 1995, when England ran out 1-0 winners at the old Wembley stadium in a friendly game, their paths crossed again at the World Cup in Japan/South Korea and the match ended 0-0.

One NFF source said: "We have received a mail from the FA asking for the friendly with the Eagles but it will only be confirmed after the draws, if we are in the same group we cannot play against each other."