Football: Nigeria Football Federation confirms Venezuela, Colombia friendlies for Super Eagles
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Super Eagles to head to the United States in November
The Super Eagles are set for a busy end to the year, as they are now scheduled to travel to the United States to face South American opponents Venezuela and Colombia in two international friendlies during the November international break.
The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the fixtures earlier this week, with Eric Chelle’s men expected to face La Vinotinto on November 14 at the Shell Stadium in Houston, four days before taking on Los Cafeteos at the City Field Stadium on November 19.
Both matches will be available to follow via our football livescore tool, and the squad that will head West will be announced toward the end of October, following Nigeria’s upcoming CAF World Cup qualifiers over the next two weeks.
In the event that the three-time African champions are unable to secure a spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these games against the South American nations will serve as crucial preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations that gets underway on December 21.
Nigeria’s last international friendly fixture came against Russia in June and ended in a 1-1 draw, just one month after they won the Unity Cup on penalties against Jamaica at the Gtech Community Stadium in the UK.
Nigeria given renewed hope after FIFA sanction South Africa
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were given a major boost on Monday this week, when FIFA confirmed South Africa’s sanction for fielding an ineligible player during their qualifying match against Lesotho.
Bafana Bafana started Teboho Mokoena, who had received two yellow cards in the competition, when they took on Likuena and won the match 2-0. However, FIFA have now slapped SAFA with a $12,500 fine and imposed a 3-0 forfeit of the match on the South African team.
As a result, Group C in the CAF World Cup qualifiers has been blown wide open, with Hugo Broos’ side dropping from top spot to second place, now sat behind the new group leaders Benin on goal difference.
Nigeria are now just three points behind the top two teams in the group standings ahead of their final two qualifier matches against Lesotho on the road on October 10 and what could be a huge match against Benin at home on October 14.
