The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland will clash under floodlights at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, in their 2018 FIFA World Cup African Round 2 first leg tie.
The Swaziland Football Association has fixed the match to start at 7pm Swazi time (6pm Nigeria time) on November 13 at the 20,000 –capacity Somhlolo Stadium, which is an all –standing arena.
Sihlangu Semnikati (which means ‘King’s Shield’) famously defeated Guinea’s Syli Nationale 2-1 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Casablanca last month, and then eliminated Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa Round One.
Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has appointed Germain Koole of Benin Republic as referee for the big match, with his compatriots Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.
Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will serve as the referee assessor with Joseph Nkole from Zambia to serve as match commissioner.
The Super Eagles, currently rated 52nd in the world, drew a bye in the Round One as the Sihlangu negotiated past Djibouti easily. The Sihlangu sit in 135th place in the FIFA ranking.
While Nigeria has won three African titles and played at five previous World Cup finals, Swaziland has never qualified for any continental event, talk less the FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles will resume camping for the match in Abuja on November 9.