The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that it turned down the opportunity to play European giants, Germany and Wales in favour of Senegal ahead of the crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cameroon in August.
Nigeria who sit comfortably at the summit of Group B will face the Indomitable Lions over two legs in their next two qualifiers.
As part of preparation for that encounter, the Glass House has lined up two warm-up games against the Terenga Lions and another West African side for the Eagles.
The decision to snub the Europeans according to NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, was due to the similarity in the playing pattern between these African sides.
“We have reasoned that it won’t make sense playing Germany or Wales when the Super Eagles would face a physical side like Cameroon,” Pinnick told the Sun on Wednesday.
“So, as we speak, we have secured a friendly against Senegal and we are working on playing Cote d’Ivoire.
“These are two games that would adequately prepare us for the Cameroon games since they both play the same style of football with Cameroon.
“Our aim is to ensure that we keep the players on their toes with the two available FIFA windows.
“We had gotten two top teams in the world but we had to tell them to relax because we cannot be playing against Germany or Wales when we are preparing against Cameroon. We need to play teams that are physical and combative side as Cameroon.
“The technical committee has put their heads together and reported to me and I have to give them go ahead. We are ensuring that everything we need to do is perfected. The qualifier is not a sprint but marathon.
“It needs endurance and persistence. We need to secure the maximum point to qualify. Agreed, we have started on very good and solid footing but we must have to look beyond that and consolidate.
“I held over an hour discussion with the coach, Rohr, on Monday and he revealed some new things he wants to do. At the end of the discussion, he told me to go and relax as he would get the job done.”
Aside the encounter against Senegal, Nigeria will also face the Pharaohs of Egypt in January.
