No deal yet on England game – NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation has explained that no deal has been reached with the English FA for a proposed international friendly between Nigeria and England.

The federation officials, who were taken aback by reports that the game was already fixed between the Super Eagles and the Three Lions, said every discussion done on the proposal was merely verbal with no date in sight yet.

The NFF’s position was made public on Thursday by its General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. In the official statement posted on the FA website, Sanusi stated that no agreement has been reached on a date for the proposed game.

He said, “The aspect of a proposed friendly between Nigeria and England as discussed by the NFF president, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and Chairman of The FA, Mr. Greg Dyke, at their meeting in London on Tuesday has been somewhat overblown in the social media.

“It is understandable that any news of a proposed friendly between Nigeria and England would generate global interest, as it has done. Both teams last played any match at senior level about 13 years ago.

“However, we must say at this stage that the proposal is still at the level of discussions and nothing concrete has been agreed as to when the match will hold. We are awaiting feedback from the English FA and will report on the outcome accordingly.”

The last friendly between both countries was played at the Wembley Stadium in London in 1994 after the Eagles made great strides the USA’94 World Cup.

Also following the meeting between Pinnick and Dyke, the NFF has said that a formal document cementing and formalising the relationship between the two national associations could be in the offing. Pinnick said that the FA is very keen to work with loyal friends, and will do what they can to help.

He said, “Greg Dyke was visibly interested in the happenings in Nigeria. He was asking lots of questions and seemed satisfied with our answers, especially regarding the direction we are taking Nigerian football.

“I made it very clear to him that we look up to England, not with envy but with awe at their organisational ability and we want to learn from them.

“I have requested that the FA should consider formalising our relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding. We have detailed our Special Envoy to explore ways of getting that formal document in place, subject to the FA’s approval; capturing areas through which we will benefit from their expertise, and present it to them, so that we can have a formal signing soon.”