Nigeria intensify World Cup preparations
Flames’ 2014 World Cup qualification group opponents Nigeria have boosted their preparations by arranging an international friendly match against top English Premiership side Arsenal.
The Super Eagles will host the Gunners in a pre-season match in Abuja on 5 August.
Ranked 60th in the latest Fifa rankings, Nigeria face a Gunners side that finished third in the English top flight last season.
It will be the first time Arsenal have played in the West African nation.
“We are delighted to announce that Arsenal Football Club will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Abuja,” said promoter David Omigie of DanJan Sports.
DanJan Sports say that agreement has been finalised with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide a strong Super Eagles side.
“The NFF have agreed that the country will present a strong side as coach Stephen Keshi continues his development process,” said Omigie.
“The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] will also use this game to showcase his full squad for the 2012/2013 football season.”
Nigeria top the Flames group with four points from two games. They edged Namibia 1-0 before settling for a 1-1 draw against Flames recently.
The Flames are third in the group with two points from two games, having also been held to a goalless draw by Kenya in their opening match.
Two-time African champions Nigeria have competed at four World Cup tournaments, failing to reach the knock-out stages at the last tournament in South Africa in 2010.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu recently said there is need to invest in the team if they are to realise their ambitious dream of qualifying for both the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
“There is no short cut to success and that is why we must play friendlies on Fifa calendar dates. We also need to explore on the possibilities of overseas camping,” said Nyamilandu
