Nigeria’s Super Eagles, made up entirely of domestic league players, will play a friendly game in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to formally open the new Akwa Ibom Stadium on November 6, 2014.
Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation disclosed in Abuja that the friendly encounter, which is to be bankrolled by the Akwa Ibom State Government, will see the Super Eagles play a North African team that will be confirmed this week.
Head Coach, Amodu Shaibu, is already planning to use the opportunity of this international friendly to begin preparations for Nigeria’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaigns in November.
“Twenty-two players will be called up to camp in Uyo from Sunday, November 2ahead of the friendly and that game will afford us a wonderful opportunity to see some of our best legs in the domestic league more closely,” Shaibu opened up.
“We will have the opportunity of working with them for about three days before the friendly.
“Some of those who show the quality we are looking for will then join the main squad for the qualifiers.
“We must seize every opportunity we have to get a strong squad ready for the challenges ahead and we really appreciate the Akwa Ibom State Government as well as the Nigeria Football Federation for putting this programme together.”
The new 30,000 capacity Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo is also expected to host Nigeria’s final 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa onNovember 19, 2014.