Nigeria, England finally agree on wimbley friendly

Three years after the idea of an international friendly between the Super Eagles and the Three Lions of England was mooted both country's FA have finally agreed on tie billed for June 2nd at the Wimbley.

The Nigeria Football Federation NFF Wednesday confirmed that the agreement has finally been sealed and that the match will serve as final shape up match for the Super Eagles before the war against their opponents at the World Cup in Russia.

NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Federation’s Organizing Committee, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, said “The match is now confirmed. We had been doing a lot of work in the background, even going back to last year.

“Now, we are happy to say that it is all sealed. Certainly, it is going to be a big match, between two countries of remarkable historical affinity and similarities.

“We have other matches and programs for the team, and we will soon roll out the entire plan for matches, camping sites and training camps.”

The idea was first mooted in 2015 when NFF president Amaju Pinnick met with England FA Chairman Greg Dyke in London.

The tie will be of benefit to both sides as they attempt to post impressive run at the world Cup.

While the Super Eagles play Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D, the Three Lions are up against Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G in Russia.

Nigeria and England first clashed at senior level on 16th November 1994, also at the old Wembley Stadium. David Platt’s headed goal towards the end of the first half separated both teams.

Both teams met again at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The encounter at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan on 12th June 2002 ended 0-0, with the Super Eagles being eliminated from the finals at the group stage.

Three –time African champions, Nigeria as part of the build up to the Mundial came from two goals down to defeat two time world champions Argentina 4-2 on 14th November 2017 in Krasnodar, Russia.  While some analysts have described the feat as a huge plus ahead of the re-match against Argentina at the World Cup proper, others say the Gernot Rohr tutored side should resist the temptation to threat the Argentines with kid gloves as friendly match is very different from a competitive tie.