Exclusive: Nigerian FIFA member wants friendly with England

By Duncan Mackay

December 15 – Dr. Amos Adamu (pictured), a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, has asked the leader of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup to arrange a friendly with Nigeria before the World Cup in South Africa next year.

A match between the Super Eagles, as Nigeria’s national team are nicknamed, and England would help secure Adamu’s vote when FIFA meet to decide the destination of the 2018 World Cup at a meeting in Zurich on December 2, 2010.

Adamu asked Triesman to organise the fixture when the two met in Abuja today after the Football Association chairman had travelled to the Nigerian capital with former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole in a bid to try to secure his vote.

Adamu said: ”I made the suggestion to Lord Triesman that a friendly match between England and Nigeria before the World Cup would be beneficial to both countries.

“He said that he would speak to England manager Fabio Capello about the idea.”

England have already played a friendly in Port-of-Spain in an effort to gain the support of Trinidad and Tobago’s vice-president Jack Warner and are in the process of arranging a match against Egypt at Wembley Stadium next March.

That would give them the opportunity to impress Hany Abou Rida, another member of the FIFA Executive Committee who is also a leading figure in the Egyptian FA.

The idea of travelling to Thailand to play to help secure the vote of Worawi Makudi has also been mooted.

Adamu met Triesman and Cole at a special ceremony which was also attended by Britain’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bob Dewar, and Jane Bateman, the FA’s Head of International Relations.

Also present were the Nigerian Football Federation President Sani Lulu Abdullahi, the general secretary Bolaji Ojo-Oba, along with Tunde Adelakun, the publisher and editor-in-chief of New African Soccer, and former Nigerian decathlete Brown Ebewele, who is now one of the country’s leading sports administrators.

The presence of Cole particularly impressed Adamu, a Manchester United fan, who was full of enthusiasm about England’s ability to host the World Cup.

He said: ”England and Nigeria have a long history of relationship and several ties.

“I particularly praise the bid team for responding to suggestions that it was not carrying along ex-players.

“In Cape Town [for the World Cup draw], we saw David Beckham and now, here is Andy Cole.

“There are definitely no doubts about England’s facilities, finances and security.

“England has also taken football to a very high level with standard of organisation and the passion and beauty of the Premiership.”

Cole (pictured) also took part in an informal coaching session with youngsters at the Abuja Children’s Home in Karu during the visit.

He said: ”I am passionate about football and feel privileged to visit places such as the Abuja Children’s Home and see that passion shared with young people from other cultures.

“Wherever you go football is a universal language and it can be used to help youngsters learn valuable lessons.

“The kids have also been telling me all about the Super Eagles so I’ll be looking out for them during this summer’s World Cup.

“I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world and see the tremendous following English football has.

“English football is all the more exciting because of the foreign players that play in our league, particularly the African players.

“They love coming to England, and one of the reasons they do is because they love our passion for football.

“Wherever I go someone will always ask me about my days at United so it was enjoyable talking about old times with Dr Adamu.

“This interest comes with a responsibility which is why English football is committed its development work around world.

“It’s great to be involved with this bid and it’s enjoyable meeting with people around the world to discuss it because it is something I completely believe in.

“I would love a World Cup to be in our country as I think we would put on a fantastic show for football everywhere.

“It would fill me with pride to be able to take my son to World Cup matches in our country.”

Triesman watched on as after the meeting Cole presented Adamu with a framed signed photograph of his days at Manchester United.

Triesman said: “We are enormously grateful to Dr Adamu for giving us the opportunity to discuss our bid with him as it has helped us further develop our understanding of what we need to do to stage a tournament that would be good for the game all over the world.

“We take pride in the fact that our bid covers the whole country.

“A World Cup in England would be an enormous party, with a home away from home feeling for the fans, players and teams that come here.

“The visit to Abuja Children’s Home was also an important experience for all involved and it is a great example of the effect football can have on youngsters.

“Football has the power to positively affect the lives of young people which is why we are so committed to The FA’s International Development Programme.

“I believe strongly that a World Cup in England would help us to build on this and create a powerful global legacy.”

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