Despite failing to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has secured Cote d’Ivoire and Mali friendlies for the Super Eagles.
NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, confirmed yesterday that the Nigerian senior football team will confront the two teams they battered on the way to winning a third Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa early last year, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in January next year.
The Super Eagles will confront 1992 African champions Cote d’Ivoire whom they edged 2-1 in the quarter finals in South Africa, on January 9, and take on fellow Eagles of Mali, who were overhauled 4-1 by the Nigerians in the semi finals in South Africa, four days later.
“We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed.
“The Elephants and the Les Aiglons are on their way to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, so they are sure to give our team good games,” observed the NFF scribe.
The Ivorians, Cameroun, Mali and Guinea have been put together in Group D, an almost all-West African affair and so, are seeking to prepare themselves up for the 2015 AFCON battles with friendlies.
The Elephants now led by the mercurial Herve Renard have recently been dubbed as underachievers especially at the continental level are seeking to shed that mantle and win AFCON for the second time in their history.
Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will do battle for shirts for the two matches.
Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim leads the invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari, Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad also called.
Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)
Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars)
Midfielders: Ammel Angel Wilfred (Kogi United); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Chinedu Udeaga (Enugu Rangers); Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)
Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Osaguona Christian (Enugu Rangers); Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers)
