World Cup-Bound Atlético Stars Griezmann, Godin, Diego Costa Unlikely To Face Eagles In Uyo

Published: May 11, 2018

Several Atlético de Madrid stars are set to miss a post-season friendly against the Nigerian National Team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday, May 22.

MultiChoice Nigeria announced on Thursday that leading Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid will face Nigeria in the maiden edition of the GOtv MAX Cup but did not state if Los Rojiblancos will come to Uyo with their first team stars.

Atletico Madrid's final home game of the season is against Eibar, two days before the proposed friendly against the Super Eagles, and six days after their meeting with Marseille in the final of the Europa League.

The likes of Diego Godín, Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and šime Vrsaljko will be preparing to link up with their national teams ahead of the 2018 World Cup and are unlikely to travel to Uyo.

Atletico Madrid fielded a strong team when they faced Nigeria Professional Football League All Stars in a preseason friendly on August 13, 2016, and manager Diego Simeone handed a debut to French international striker Kevin Gameiro in that game.

The Nigeria Football Federation have finalized World Cup warmup matches with England and Czech Republic before the Super Eagles trip to Russia while plans to face Democratic Republic of Congo hang in the balance.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel