Serbian officials to visit Nigeria over friendlies

Officials of the Serbian Football Association are expected in Nigeria soon to discuss with their counterparts in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) possible areas of cooperation, including friendly matches before the Russia 2018 World Cup and camp sites for the Super Eagles.

Serbia, like Nigeria, qualified for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

President of the Nigeria-Serbia Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Temi Gold, whose association is midwifing the project, said he has been in contact with relevant organs of the Serbia Football Federation as well as the Nigeria Football Federation and he foresees no stress in pulling through what he said will be a home and away friendly. “But we must be mindful of the FIFA calendar”, he said.

As part of the preparations for the games, he said the Serbia FA, to be led by its president, will soon visit Nigeria to tie the loose ends, adding that the Serbia FA was delaying its visit to Nigeria because a new Ambassador has just been appointed by the country’s government to Nigeria and “he needs to be properly welcomed this week and issues bothering on the economy and socials will then be discussed.”

He revealed that Serbian firms and their Nigerian counterparts are ready to hook into the friendly once both federations agree on the modalities.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr has appointed former international striker, Victor Agali as one of his scouts ahead of their campaign at the World Cup in Russia next year.

Rohr confirmed Agali’s appointment in an interview with a French based radio station while discussing his plans for the World Cup with Nigeria after their 4-2 win over Argentina.

The coach didn’t mention the specific area Agali will help him in scouting, but it for now looks like he will lead the search for a top striker as back up to present first choice forward, Odion Ighalo.

Agali and Rohr have known each other since his days in Germany when he played for Hansa Rostock and also Schalke 04 before moving to France to join Nice.

It was at French Ligue 1 side Nice that Agali worked under the tutelage of Rohr and since then they have maintained their relationship.

Rohr watched Agali’s team, AS Racine, in a Nigeria National League game last season.