Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland team will take on Nigeria for the first time ever next May in a warm-up game ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals. McCarthy was eager for his side to gain some experience against African opposition following the World Cup draw at the weekend which saw Ireland pitted against Cameroon in Group E, while Nigeria are part of what has been termed the Group of Death alongside England, Sweden and Argentina.
FAI general secretary Brendan Menton confirmed last night that the friendly is expected to go ahead on May 17. There had been reports last week that a friendly tie was being set up with current World champions France ahead of the trip to Japan and South Korea next summer but that match has fallen through after the French organised a clash with Belgium in Paris. Menton also confirmed that the proposed tie with Argentina next April is also in doubt as the South Americans cannot make the April date. Negotiations are on-going to see if any compromise can be made.
The friendlies that have been confirmed so far by the FAI are those against Russia on February 13, Denmark on March 27 and Nigeria in May.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
