Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that Super Eagles will face Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia in two friendly matches which will be played in Austria.
The squad will take on Cote D’Ivoire on October 9 before facing Tunisia four days later, October 13.
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, made the announcement on Wednesday September 2, via his Twitter page.
He explained that the European country was picked due to the COVID-19 protocols presently in place and the proximity to the teams.
Pinnick stated;
On the 9th of October, the Super Eagles will play former African champions, Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly game, then face another African giant and former champions Tunisia, four days later, on the 13th.
…On the 9th of October, the Super Eagles will play former African champions, Cote D’Ivoire in a friendly game, then face another African giant and former champions Tunisia, four days later, on the 13th.
Both games will be held in Austria for a few obvious reasons….
— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) September 2, 2020
The federation president added;
Both games will be held in Austria for a few obvious reasons. Due to the Covid-19 protocols presently in place and the proximity of the bulk of our team as well, Austria was seen as an ideal venue. I’ll have to stress as well, that all costs will be borne by the football federations of both Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, as well as Tunisia.
…Due to the COVID-19 protocols presently in place and the proximity of the bulk of our team as well, Austria was seen as an ideal venue. I’ll have to stress as well, that ALL costs will be borne by the Football Federations of both Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire, as well as Tunisia..
— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) September 2, 2020
The match against Côte d’Ivoire will be Super Eagles’ first since the 4-2 away defeat of Lesotho on November 17 2019 before matches were suspended due to coronavirus pandemic.
The friendlies will serve as preparatory games ahead of the crunch 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in November.
