By Sam Mbonu
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) dubbed as No Football Focus said the Super Eagles will face Venezuela in an international friendly on November 14 in Houston. The relevance of the fixture is questioned especially when Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hang by in balance.
With just two games to go, Nigeria are currently languishing third in Group C with just 11 points, Nigeria trails group leaders South Africa by six points. The team must win both of their final qualifiers and hope for a slip-up from South Africa to have any chance of automatic qualification.
Even the anticipated points deduction from South Africa for using an ineligible player against Lesotho has not given optimism to the fans base. The playoff route looks uncertain, as Nigeria lags behind other second-placed teams in terms of points.
So, come November, the Super Eagles will play Venezuela in Houston in an international friendly and in this context, organizing a friendly match with a non-African country just few weeks to the start of the 2024 African Cup of Nations particularly one outside the continent feels like a distraction rather than a strategic move. While international friendlies can serve as valuable opportunities for squad rotation, tactical experimentation, and fan engagement, the current situation demands laser-sharp focus on preparing for the AFCON as Nigeria first group match will be against Tanzania.
Worthy of note is how the Super Eagles struggled to beat smaller African countries during the world cup qualifiers, while Venezuela is a respectable opponent, they did not qualify to the FIFA World Cup 2026, they are 8th in CONMEBOL qualification group and it does not mirror the style or intensity of Nigeria’s upcoming African opponents in the AFCON. So, playing more international friendly games with fellow African nations would be a more proactive approach in preparing for the AFCON.
Furthermore, by the time this friendly game is played, the final qualification for the FIFA world cup 2026 would have been decided. Fans and analysts are increasingly frustrated with the team’s inconsistent performances. A friendly match, especially if poorly executed, could further erode public confidence in the NFF’s priorities and planning.
Rather than diverting attention to exhibition matches, the Super Eagles should be intensifying tactical drills, addressing glaring weaknesses in finishing and defensive organization, weeding out deadwoods and retiring players.
While friendlies have their place in international football, the timing of this fixture raises serious concerns. With World Cup qualification slipping away, the Super Eagles must prioritize performance over publicity. The road to redemption lies not in Houston, but in Lesotho and Benin where every point will count.
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