Nigeria have lined up an international friendly match against Catalonia in preparation for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The game, against the side coached by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, will take place at Estadi Cornellà El Prat, home ground of Spanish side Espanyol, on 2 January.

Catalonia, like other Spanish regions such as the Basque Country, compete in friendlies against international teams but are not permitted to play in official competitions.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), though, is delighted with another "high-profile" friendly for the Super Eagles.

"It has been finalised that the team will travel to Spain for this friendly against Catalonia," said NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire.

"This match is another crucial step in our preparations for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

"The players and officials are all looking forward to another opportunity to continue building momentum after the victory against Venezuela in Miami.

"The Catalonia side will provide a tough test at the right time for us."

It will be the second meeting between the West Africans and Catalonia. The first match, in December 1998, ended in an emphatic 5-0 defeat for Nigeria.

And the Catalans may be looking to achieve a similar result to provide a fitting send-off for Cruyff, whose tenure as coach comes to an end after this match.

Nigeria begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20444941

MAY GOD HELP US.

amen ooo

The only silver lining for the Super Eagles is that Victor Valdez will be in goal , and there won't be a David Villa or MESSI. I expect an entertaining 2-2 draw.

So?

good

I care less, i just need the afcon.

I sha hope that Fabripass (fabrigas),midfield maestro (iniestia) and prof (Xavi) wont be part of the team, else ......... wahala dey oh !!!!

RUBBISH...they shud rather play any strong African team cos we r having an african competition (jam body football), it will make them understand African pattern to an extent, and prepare their minds.

They only need xavi and iniesta. 2 vs 11

We have played them before. See how it went:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOs1wIdAsE

CFCfan: The only silver lining for the Super Eagles is that Victor Valdez will be in goal , and there won't be a David Villa or MESSI. I expect an entertaining 2-2 draw.

and no iniesta too, and much as I would wish for a Nigerian victory, it will be a game to expect another defeat.

Yours GEJ,:
They only need xavi and iniesta. 2 vs 11

iniesta isn't from Catalunya.

Any info on where one can purchase the ticket for this match?

OMG!! Who planned this suicide mission for my dear Eagles *crying*

crusufixo:

I sha hope that Fabripass (fabrigas),midfield maestro (iniestia) and prof (Xavi) wont be part of the team, else ......... wahala dey oh !!!!

Iniesta won't play, he is from the Asturias region, not Catalunya.

Murphy T: RUBBISH...they shud rather play any strong African team cos we r having an african competition (jam body football), it will make them understand African pattern to an extent, and prepare their minds.

hahaa!!! Na wa oh!!! So you think african football is all about jam body,so super eagles should only meet jam body countries for friendly abi?? Why you no pack all dose akpu strong huge men from una village make dem con help us win african cup of nations

maclatunji: We have played them before. See how it went:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOs1wIdAsE

Broda mi Olatunji, that was when we were still Super Eagles but now we're [Super Chickens[/b]

Kslib:
hahaa!!! Na wa oh!!! So you think african football is all about jam body,so super eagles should only meet jam body countries for friendly abi?? Why you no pack all dose akpu strong huge men from una village make dem con help us win african cup of nations

LOL, Cameroon did it successfully.

high profile indeed

NLanders, who and who in d euro 12 winning squad is 4rm catalonia?

We go beat dm anytime anyday, we no b italy wey dy whip 4-0, 9ja my darling country go wallow dm. *****yawn***** just dy wake up

omicron: and no iniesta too, and much as I would wish for a Nigerian victory, it will be a game to expect another defeat.

Thanks for d info. Even if Naija loses, it will be by a lone goal.

valencia25:
Broda mi Olatunji, that was when we were still Super Eagles but now we're [Super Chickens[/b]

did you see the score board clearly?They trashed us 5 goals to nil

Then Nigeria can play BIAFRA too. !!!

Na Cataluña dem dey call high profile? Its not the whole spanish team. No villa, no iniesta, no Ramos, no Jordi Alba, no casillas, no pedro, no alonso...

I think we beat them 3-2 in France '98 world cup when super eagle were golden now I can only 2-0 victory in favour of Spain from there we should be able to stand firm thru'out AFCON

holums: I think we beat them 3-2 in France '98 world cup when super eagle were golden now I can only 2-0 victory in favour of Spain from there we should be able to stand firm thru'out AFCON

Catalunya is not Spanish team, they are made up of players from a region in Spain called Catalunya (region where clubs like Barcelona and Espanyol e.t.c are)

omicron: iniesta isn't from Catalunya.

Hes from Basque, Albacete, but having being born and raised @ the Lamasia academy, he now claims 'Catalunya!!

maclatunji: We have played them before. See how it went:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOs1wIdAsE

NFF why now? this is wickedness, why una wan come rubbish Keshi job na.

3-1 against Nigeria. I have that feeling.

justman29: NLanders, who and who in d euro 12 winning squad is 4rm catalonia?

All barcelona spanish players, asides iniesta and david villa are catalans. They've got a great team, the catalans. Xavi, fabregas, puyol, pique, jordi alba, pedro, valdes just to name a few. The catalans have got a great squad.