NFF Names Three Venues As Possible Host of Super Eagles Vs Benin Republic AFCON Match

NFF Names Three Venues As Possible Host of Super Eagles Vs Benin Republic AFCON Match

By Admin

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said it is considering Asaba, Delta State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the Super Eagles 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Nigeria, the third-place team at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, will take on the Squirrels of Benin Republic in the qualifying match billed for November 11, 2019.

According to a source in the NFF, the football body has not taken a final stand on where the tie would be played next month.

However, the decision will be reached by the NFF by next week, the source further stated.

“The Nigeria Football Federation will make a pronouncement on the venue that will host the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin very soon,” the source told Soccer Net Nigeria.

“They are working on it and looking at it from their cooperate angle. Initially, it was supposed to be Edo State but of late we have been hearing Asaba, Uyo and definitely, Abuja is out of it because the pitch is not ready.

“Uyo and Asaba are good grounds for the Super Eagles because that’s where we have played and won games with ease. But we are waiting for the NFF to make an official pronouncement on the venue that will host the 2021 AFCON qualifier against Lesotho.”

He added that “Wherever they choose will be okay for us. The most important thing is for us to train well and play well to win.

“You know we have two games, first against Benin and a few days later we will play Lesotho.

“So, the important for us to win the two games. But I can confirm to you that in a few days the NFF will make an official pronouncement.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles drop one place in the October FIFA rankings from 34 to 35 despite playing out a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped by one spot in the FIFA World ranking for the month of October, despite playing out a 1-1 draw with Brazil in a friendly, Concise News reports.

The three-time African champions are 35th in the world after getting 1,481 points as against 1482 recorded in September, according to the ranking released on Thursday.

But despite the drop, the Eagles still occupy the third position in Africa, while Senegal, placed 20th in the world, remain the highest-ranked side in the continent with 1,546 points.