Plans to test the Nigerian squad against any of the teams bound for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa may come to life next week.
The national team B could be up against Ethiopia, Gabon or Mali between January 1 and January 5 before the commencement of the third edition of the tournament organised for players who ply their trades in the continent, according to Thisday.
“We have written to Libya, Ethiopia and Gabon for an international friendly. And as I speak with you now, these countries are considering our request and I know one of them has contacted the Secretary general on a suitable date for the match,” Observed spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire.
Olajire remains optimistic the home-based Eagles will uphold the nation’s image in their first campaign at the tournament, adding that the NFF will source for funds to send the team to South Africa as the federation’s budget for 2014 has not yet been approved.
“I am very optimistic that the team (Eagles) will play one of the countries that have qualified for the CHAN before flying out of the Abuja on January 6 to South Africa. The feeler we are getting from these countries is positive,” Olajire added.
“Even if we (NFF) have to go to a bank to source funds to send Eagles to South Africa, we will do it to sustain the winning momentum that Nigerian football is enjoying now.”
Meanwhile the friendly encounter between the South Africa-bound team and Glo Premier League champions, Kano Pillars, has been rescheduled for Monday December 30. The games was earlier listed for Friday, December 27th. Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Attah, said the change was necessitated by the game the national team will play on Saturday in Port Harcourt against a selected side, consisting of players from top sides, Sharks FC, Dolphin FC and other top players within the Garden City Metropolis.
