Super Eagles cancels friendlies against Venezuela, Columbia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have cancelled their planned international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States next month to focus on the upcoming World Cup playoffs in Morocco

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had scheduled the games for November 14 at Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium and November 18 at Citi Field in New York.

However, following Nigeria’s recent victory over Benin Republic that secured a spot in the CAF World Cup playoffs, the U.S. tour has been called off.

“We had a clause in the contract for the games covering this eventuality. Since we’ve qualified for the playoffs, we will not be going ahead with the matches. Our goal now is to concentrate fully on qualifying for the World Cup,” an NFF official told ESPN.

The playoffs, taking place from November 13–16 in Morocco, will see Nigeria face Gabon in the semifinals. The winner will meet the victor of Cameroon vs. Congo DR for Africa’s spot in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.

Currently ranked 41st globally, Nigeria is the highest-ranked team among the four playoff contenders, which also include Cameroon, Congo DR, and Gabon.

The Morocco fixtures also serve as early preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria, runners-up in 2023, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, kicking off their campaign on December 23 in Fez.

Tickets for the canceled U.S. friendlies had already been sold, and the NFF is expected to announce refund procedures soon. For now, Nigeria’s full focus is on securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.

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