The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has officially dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria and Morocco would meet in a friendly match in France ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. In a statement released through its official channels, the NFF made it clear that no such fixture is planned and that the rumored encounter between the Super Eagles and the Atlas Lions does not feature in Nigeria’s preparation schedule.
Speculation had been circulating in recent days that the two African heavyweights were set to face each other in Europe as part of their build-up to the continental tournament. However, the NFF moved quickly to put an end to those claims. Speaking on the federation’s official website, the NFF’s communications director emphasized that Nigeria’s program has long been finalized and publicly announced, leaving no room for an additional friendly against Morocco.
“We have finalized our program up to the Africa Cup of Nations. We made it public well in advance and the friendly match against Morocco in France is not on the agenda,” the communications director stated. His comments were intended to clarify the situation and avoid any further confusion among supporters, media outlets, and other stakeholders following the Super Eagles.
The clarification confirms that Nigeria’s technical staff and administrators are sticking strictly to their original preparation plan. As part of this program, the Super Eagles are scheduled to play two friendly matches before heading into the Africa Cup of Nations. The first will take place on June 8 against Zimbabwe, while the second is set for June 17 against Senegal. These fixtures have been carefully selected to provide Nigeria with meaningful opposition as they fine-tune tactics, assess player fitness, and build cohesion within the squad.
The match against Zimbabwe is expected to serve as an initial test, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate fringe players and experiment with combinations before facing stronger opposition. The friendly against Senegal, one of the continent’s top teams and a regular contender at major tournaments, is likely to be a more intense and revealing encounter. Facing a side boasting several Europe-based stars should give Nigeria a clearer indication of their readiness for the challenges ahead at the Africa Cup of Nations.
By confirming that no friendly against Morocco is planned, the NFF also underlined its commitment to structured and controlled preparation. In the modern game, international windows are limited, and federations often prefer to avoid overcrowding schedules in order to reduce the risk of injuries and player fatigue. Nigeria’s approach suggests a desire to balance competitive preparation with adequate recovery time, ensuring that key players arrive at the tournament in optimal physical and mental condition.
The denial also highlights the importance of official communication in an era where rumors can spread rapidly across social media and online platforms. By addressing the issue directly, the NFF has aimed to maintain transparency and keep the focus on the confirmed elements of the team’s build-up to the tournament.
As the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draws closer, attention will now turn to Nigeria’s confirmed fixtures against Zimbabwe and Senegal. These matches will be closely watched by fans and analysts eager to assess the Super Eagles’ form, tactical approach, and squad depth. While a friendly against Morocco will not take place, Nigeria’s preparation program remains intact, with the emphasis firmly on making the most of the opportunities that have already been scheduled to ensure the team is fully prepared for the continental challenge ahead.
