Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

Nigeria to face England in pre-World Cup friendlies

Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has revealed that the Super Eagles will play six friendlies in the build up to the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Nigeria are gearing up towards their sixth tournament appearance, and Pinnick told the gathered media on Wednesday that Poland, Serbia, Democratic Republic of Congo, England, and Czech Republic are the confirmed Friendly opponents.

An as-yet unidentified South American team completes a list of six friendlies scheduled ahead of the tournament mid-year.

Nigeria are leaving nothing to chance ahead of their opening group game against Croatia, hence their decision to play two Eastern European opponents in Poland and Serbia. These are teams who have a similar playing pattern to the Croats.

Nigeria fans at home have not been left out in the plans, as the Super Eagles' take on Democratic Republic of Congo in either Abuja or Uyo on 28 May, in what will be the send-off match for the Super Eagles.

The pre-World Cup friendlies are concluded with three matches within the space of seven days in June, after which the team will be enclosed in camp at their official World Cup base at Yessentuki, in the Stavropol Territory in Russia's southern region.

Pinnick made the announcement in Lagos, where he also confirmed a five-year, $4 million sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola. It was also revealed that kit sponsors NIKE will officially unveil the Eagles' World Cup jerseys at an event to be held 7 February in London.

KEY DATES  

7th February: NIKE to launch official kit in London  

23rd March: Friendly Vs Poland in Warsaw  

27th March: Friendly Vs Serbia in London  

22nd May - 30th May: First Phase Camp in Abuja/Uyo  

28th May: Friendly Vs DR Congo in Abuja/Uyo  

2nd June: Friendly Vs England in London

3rd - 11th June: Second Phase camp in Austria                        

6th June: Friendly Vs Czech Republic in Austria  

9th June: Friendly Vs TBC in Austria  

From 11th June: Closed camp at team base camp in Yessentuki

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