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2018 WORLD CUP

CAF study request for African teams' pre-World Cup friendlies

CAF officials will meet soon to discuss a proposal for African World Cup qualifiers to play friendlies during the FIFA internationals window in March.

CAF study request for African teams' pre-World Cup friendlies
RYAD KRAMDIAFP

The Confederation of African Football will meet soon to discuss a proposal for the African teams who have qualified for next year's World Cup finals to play friendlies during the FIFA internationals window in March, a Nigerian football official confirmed today. Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia will be Africa's five representatives in Russia. However, all five teams will be engaged in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations during the next FIFA window in March - the last international break before the World Cup kicks off in June.

Senegal will be at 2018 World Cup Russia
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Senegal will be at 2018 World Cup RussiaSIPHIWE SIBEKOREUTERS

African teams' 2018 World Cup preparations 

Super Eagles spokesman Toyin Ibitoye said Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has proposed that the next FIFA window should now be used by the World Cup finalists to prepare for world football's showpiece tournament.

“In the few days CAF will meet to deliberate a proposal by the NFF president on using the FIFA window in March for the World Cup flag bearers to play friendly matches ahead of Russia 2018”, he said.

Morocco became the last African team to book their place at 2018 World Cup Russia, beating Ivory Coast at the weekend
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Morocco became the last African team to book their place at 2018 World Cup Russia, beating Ivory Coast at the weekendLEGNAN KOULAEFE

Nigeria are scheduled to meet the Seychelles in March 2018 as a continuation of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but would now battle a higher rated team should the proposal be accepted. There has been media speculation over possible Eagles opponents in pre-World Cup friendlies, but Ibitoye maintained likely opponents will be known after the draw in Moscow on 1 December.