posted October 10, 2023
The international friendly match scheduled between Nigeria and Mozambique is now set, with FIFA appointing officials for the game.
The match will take place on a Monday at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão in Portugal.
The officiating officers appointed by FIFA is comprised of Miguel Nogueira from Portugal who has been appointed as the match referee. His compatriots Paulo Bras, Ana Loide, and Bruno Viera will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and the fourth official, respectively.
This will be the fifth senior-level encounter between Nigeria and Mozambique. Previous matches include a friendly in Maputo where Nigeria won by the odd goal, two memorable clashes in 2009 during the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and a meeting at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria won 3-0 in the group stage.
Previously, the Super Eagles edged the Mambas by the odd goal in Maputo, before two memorable clashes in 2009, in the race to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. In Maputo, both teams settled for a scoreless draw, and in Abuja in October 2009, it was heading for the same score line before Obinna Nsofor headed powerfully into the net for the three points to save Nigeria’s blushes. A draw that evening would have automatically eliminated Nigeria from the race. When both teams faced off at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in 2010, in the group phase, the Super Eagles thrashed the Mambas 3-0 in the city of Lubango.
The match will kick off at 4 pm Portugal time, which is the same time as in Nigeria.
The Super Eagles are expected to start arriving at their Penina Hotel and Resort in Portimao ahead of the match.
Additionally, there is a first friendly match against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia scheduled for Friday. This means that Nigeria has a busy schedule of international friendlies during this period. These matches provide valuable opportunities for teams to prepare for upcoming tournaments and to test their skills against different opponents.