English Premier League side Arsenal will on August 5 play the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a pre-season match in Abuja.
It will be the first time Arsenal have played in the West African nation.
“We are delighted to announce that Arsenal Football Club will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Abuja,” said promoter David Omigie of DanJan Sports.
DanJan Sports says that agreement has been finalised with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide a strong Super Eagles side.
“The NFF have agreed that the country will present a strong side as Coach Stephen Keshi continues his development process,” Mr Omigie said.
“The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] will also use this game to showcase his full squad for the 2012/2013 football season.”
The London club traditionally hosts an annual pre-season tournament at the Emirates Stadium, but they opted to postpone the event for a year because of the 2012 London Olympics.
The visit to Nigeria will conclude Arsenal’s pre-season after tours to both China and Malaysia in July.
On their official website, Arsenal said: “The club last visited Africa during a tour to South Africa in July 1993.”
“It is returning as a result of the fantastic support which exists for the team, not only in Nigeria, but across the entire continent.”
DanJan Sports revealed that tickets for the match will go on sale from 4 July.
What do you think? Is NFF trying to build a better Nigeria team! Or simply want to make money from the thickets that would be sold for these match.
From my own point of view. The present Nigeria team is no match for Arsenal. But it’s going to be fun anyway and also worth the try.