The recently announced friendly game between Spanish LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid and the senior national team of Nigeria has filled the social media space with many wondering the rationale behind the idea.
Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal that the deal for the game was brokered by the LaLiga as part of their partnership with the League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC) , and the game was originally billed to be between the Europa League finalist and a club from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) .
However, the hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) thought it wise to make it a friendly game for the senior national team of Nigeria as part of their preparations for the World Cup although with special conditions.
The game will be prosecuted by fringe players of the Super Eagles and other players who are pushing for a spot in Nigeria’s World Cup squad but haven’t been called up before. Players like Simy Nwankwo, Sadiq Umar and Junior Lokosa are captured in that category.
Players from the domestic league are however expected to dominate the squad for the game which will be played on the 22nd of May at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
While Atletico Madrid are obliged to present their full squad for the game, Nigeria are not under pressure to do same and coach Rohr will focus on young players who are mostly going to be in the team after the World Cup.
Osas Mahawi
