Nigeria to start AFCON 2021 preparations with a friendly against Ukraine

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lined up a an international friendly  against Ukraine in September to kick start the Super Eagles preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles moved up 12 places to 33rd in the recent FIFA World Rankings, following a third place finish at last month’s continental event in Egypt.

According to  NFF, the match will be played on  10 September as the team prepares to open their Cameroon 2021 campaign against Benin in November’s Group L fixture.

“We have secured a Grade A international friendly match for the Super Eagles against the Ukraine in Kiev, on the 10th of September,” Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president confirmed.

“It is part of our on-going drive to expose as many players as we can to global football, so this should be another springboard for our young stars.”

The two countries have never met at senior international level.