The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to officially cancel the proposed international friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia, which were scheduled to take place in the United States in November.
A reliable source at the Sunday Dankaro House has disclosed that the country’s football governing body reached the decision during one of its closed-door meetings, following the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs in Morocco next month.
The NFF’s decision is aimed at allowing the players to concentrate fully on the playoff matches, particularly as the dates for the two friendlies clash with the playoff schedule.
“The friendlies have been called off because the date clashed with World Cup playoffs slated for Morocco in November,” a top NFF official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained.
The official further revealed that a clause in the contract for these friendlies provides for cancellation if the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Playoffs.
“Besides, the clause in the friendlies allows cancellation should Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” he told Guardian.
Nigeria had been scheduled to face Venezuela on 14 November and Colombia on 18 November. However, the Super Eagles are now set to play Gabon in the World Cup Playoffs semi-final on 13 November in Morocco, with the final scheduled for 16 November.
The cancellation means the Super Eagles will now focus their full attention on securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
