Nigeria to face Algeria, Tunisia next month

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Sep 27, 2020. 16:00

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have announced that the Super Eagles will face North Africa duo Algeria and Tunisia in two friendlies in the upcoming international window.

Nigeria are set to face reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Algeria on October 9, followed by a match with Tunisia four days later. Both fixtures will be staged in Austria at the Jacques Lemans Arena in St. Veit an der Glan.

Nigeria were originally meant to face fellow West Africans Ivory Coast on the first date, but the Elephants were forced to pull out.

The NFF’s official website reports: “However, what at first seemed a disappointment turned into delight as stronger Algeria immediately accepted to tango with three-time African champions Nigeria on 9th October at the Jacques Lemans Arena.

“This followed a phone call from President of the NFF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick to his Algerian opposite number, Mr. Kheireddine Zetchi.

“We have permission from our government to travel from Algeria to Austria and our country has reopened international flights,” wrote Mohamed Saad, General Secretary of the Federation Algerienne de Football.

“We also would like to confirm that FIFA match agent Me Jairo Pachon is authorised to carry on all the required work and planning in Austria in order to stage this event.”

Nigeria will be looking to claim revenge against the Fennec Foxes, who famously defeated the Super Eagles in the semifinals of last year’s AFCON thanks to a last-gasp strike from Riyad Mahrez.