The
Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Atletico Madrid in a friendly at the
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday, May 22.
Spanish
LaLiga outfit Atletico de Madrid, newly crowned Europa League champions
after claiming a dominant 3-0 display over French side Marseille in
Lyon on Wednesday night.
Atletico de Madrid will now focus their
attentiton on their friendly match in Nigeria, on May 22nd at the
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo against the home-based
Nigerian Super Eagles team. The historic contest will take place
thanks to SuperSport, LaLiga’s official broadcaster in most African
countries, and prominent video entertainment company in Nigeria,
MultiChoice, who are also the provider of digital terrestrial television
platform GOtv. They are responsible for bringing the Spanish
outfit to Nigeria for the special visit and to play in the maiden
edition of the GOtv MAX Cup. The partnership between the Nigerian
Professional Football League and LaLiga has also played a major role in
organising the match. LaLiga President, Javier Tebas responded by
saying “Once again, LaLiga’s total commitment to fans around the world
is evident.
This is a historic announcement and we’re very happy to
share it with our Nigerian fans. Atletico, one of LaLiga’s most
important clubs, will be in Nigeria and will give the local fans out
there the opportunity to enjoy the stars close up. Africa, and Nigeria
are very important to LaLiga and are also great fans of Spanish
football, which we’re very proud of.” LaLiga ambassador, Mutiu
Adepoju said: “Multichoice, SuperSport, and GOtv have done well for
Nigeria and indeed Nigerian football by bringing Atletico de Madrid
here. It shows they are keen on putting Nigeria on the global football
map, and they are also providing an opportunity for our players to be
noticed by big European clubs.” “The Atletico that will come to
play the Eagles will be the first team. They will get ready for the trip
to Nigeria immediately after Wednesday night’s Europa League final
clash with Marseille. Apart from anybody who may be injured or those who
are World Cup bound with their countries, you can expect to see the
full team with the technical staff led by Diego Simeone” he added.
The
fixture will allow Nigerian fans to enjoy an array of some of the stars
of the world’s best league up close, and watch one of its most iconic
clubs, Atletico de Madrid. Atletico have been one of Europe’s most
consistent teams in recent seasons, breaking Barcelona and Real Madrid’s
stranglehold on LaLiga by claiming the title in 2013-14. The match is
being played under the umbrella of the LaLiga Foundation’s LaLiga World
Challenge programme, through which friendlies are organised between
LaLiga clubs and local teams all over the globe.
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