A home-based Super Eagles side will play a friendly game in Uyo to formally open the new Akwa Ibom Stadium on November 6. The Nigeria senior team made up of players from the NPFL is expected to play a yet to be named north African opposition as the Uyo stadium is set to be unveiled
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 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 remaining 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaigns in November.
“22 players will be called up to camp in Uyo from Sunday, November 2 ahead 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,” Shuaibu said.
“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,” Shuaibu said.
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 on November 19.
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