A referee from Benin Republic, Louis Houngnande has been appointed to be at the centre of Nigeria’s international friendly against Uganda at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday.
Houngnade will be assisted by his compatriots Razack Bello (assistant referee 1) and Eric Ayimavo (assistant referee 2), while Nigeria’s Shaibu Abdullahi will be reserve referee.
Sports247.ng learnt further that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have also named a former President of the body, Brigadier-General Dominic Oneya (rtd) as match commissioner for Tuesday’s game.
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick will also be there alongside members of the executive committee and management officials.
Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa will be the special guest, to be joined by members of his executive council and other prominent personalities.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, both countries are celebrating successful qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations following Matchday 5 games over the past weekend.
The Eagles qualified with a 1-1 draw away to South Africa at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg to be sure of a ticket from Group E ahead of the final match, while The Cranes pipped Cape Verde 1-0 in Kampala to be sure of finishing as Group L winners.
Nigerians have learnt not to take matches against Uganda lightly since a certain Phillip Omondi scored a brace to stop the Eagles from reaching the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana 40 years ago.
Nigeria avenged that defeat in subsequent qualifying matches for major competitions, but remember losing 1-2 to the Cranes in a 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kampala.
That result would have been disastrous had the Eagles not won the first encounter 1-0 in Abeokuta, when Nwankwo Kanu scored a late goals to get three points off the visitors.
The Cranes also remember beating the Eagles 1-0 in a friendly in Uyo in March 2015 that marked Vincent Enyeama’s 100th international match, but Farouk Miya spoilt the keeper’s milestone with a powerful header.
It, therefore, promises to be thrills at Stephen Keshi Stadium, named in memory of Nigeria’s longest serving captain and AFCON 2013 winning coach, who was in charge when the Eagles lost that friendly in Uyo.
