Super Eagles’ crew arrive France ahead of Friday’s Mali friendly

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Nigeria national team arrived France on Wednesday morning as they get set face Mali in Friday’s international friendly billed for Stade Robert Diochon.

The Nigerian delegation of eight players and 10 officials left Abuja on Tuesday night after they were issued visas to the European country.

“We are now in France and we thank God for journey mercies,” assistant coach Kennedy Boboye told Goal.

“In a bit, we will be addressing the players and head straight for business.”

The three-time African champions will face Les Aigles on Friday – a game which serves as warm for the Super Eagles ahead 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia after missing out of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria last played Mali in February 2013, when Stephen Keshi’s men silenced them 4-1 in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia with Brown Ideye, Elderson Echiejile, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa finding the back of the net with Cheick Diarra getting the consolation at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.

Coach Alain Giresse will be hoping to avenge the defeat and he has called up 23 players for the encounter. The squad is made up of three local based professionals and 20 foreign based players without inspirational skipper Seydou Keita.

Nigeria will face Luxembourg four days later at the Josy Barthel Stadium.

The game had been scheduled to go ahead on the first day of June but that would not come to pass as the hosts are participating in the Tour de France cycling competition.