The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia will come toe-to-toe on Friday evening in a friendly encounter in the Portugese city of Portimao.
Nigeria are three-time African champions just as Saudi Arabia are three-time Asian champions and with the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations exactly three months away, this game marks the start of preparations for Nigeria.
Previous Meeting
Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have only have met once previously at the senior level and it was also in a friendly match, also in Europe with Jose Peseiro, Nigeria’s current coach the Arabian head that time.
That meeting ended 0-0 in May 2010, at the eve of the FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa. That goalless encounter in Wattens, Austria was as part of the Super Eagles’ final preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
A new Nigerian team
Peseiro has always maintained that he wants to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Nigeria next year and despite not earning the full trust of Nigerians on that, they are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He has now assembled a team of old and new players, with the number of Europe grown players in double digits. There are recalls for players like Chidozie Awaziem and Umar Sadiq while Europe grown stars Jordan Torunarigha and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will hope to earn their debuts.
There also still remains a good part of the team that have underachieved in the past four years including Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Ayodele-Aribo, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho and the hurriedly recalled Maduka Okoye.
https://twitter.com/NGSuperEagles/status/1712739857083060506?s=19
Match Details:
Match: Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Portimão, Portugal
Time: 5pm (Nigerian time)
Match Officials:
Centre referee: Luis Godinho
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus
Assistant Referee 2: Tiago Costa
Fourth Official: Miguel Noguera
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Helder Carvalho
Assistant VAR: Bruno Vieira
How to watch:
Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria has been listed for broadcast by foremost South African company MultiChoice for its Nigerian subscribers.
The game will be aired on DStv SS Football Channel 205 starting from 4:45pm while GOtv subscribers can also tune in same time on the SS Football Africa channel.
For online viewers, you can watch the game here.
Thereafter….
Nigeria have one more friendly game to be played in Portugal. They will face AFCON returnee Mozambique at the same venue on Monday 16th October in their final preparatory match ahead of the start of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November.
Image by Ayo Olu-Ibidapo (AY Shuga)
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