NFF plans to get Portuguese clubs to play friendly matches against Super Eagles

Dec 12, 2012 6:44:00 PM

The federation says it is in talks to get credible opposition for the national team when it begins its camp in Faro in January

The Nigeria Football Federation is in discussion with top Portuguese clubs to play friendly matches against the Super Eagles while in Faro, Portugal from January 4th to 16th.

General Secretary of the federation, Barrister Musa Amadu made this disclosure to Goal.com in Abuja on Wednesday while revealing the programs for the Nigerian side prior to the start of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are doing everything humanly possible for the Super Eagles to prepare well for the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Amadu.

“As you are aware the home lads would commence camping in Abuja this Sunday and they will play a number of friendly matches with some clubs here.

“Also our match agent is discussing with a number of top clubs in Portugal so that the Eagles may play tune up matches with them since the team is camping in Faro as from January 4th, 2013.”

He also bemoaned the situation where the Eagles couldn’t play any friendly matches with a team among the top ten in the world throughout this year.

“The Federation is not happy but couldn’t help a situation where the Eagles couldn’t play a friendly match here in Nigeria with a country ranked among the world’s top ten this year. You will recall that the Eagles played against Argentina last year under Coach Samson Siasia which was sponsored by our partner Guinness.

“I think this year was challenging because we needed to get a very top, quality national side to come to Nigeria to play. But there have been some challenges we all have faced, and the fact that the Abuja National Stadium was not conducive for us to bring a team of the calibre of the top 10 teams in the world that we were looking at,” he disclosed.

English Premier League giants Arsenal cancelled their proposed trip to the country in June due to insecurity and poor facilities.

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