Former Nigeria international Abiodun Obafemi has thrown his support behind the planned friendly matches involving the Nigeria national football team, describing the upcoming games against Iran national football team, Jordan national football team, and Costa Rica national football team as valuable opportunities for the squad.
The Nigeria Football Federation has faced criticism in some quarters over the quality of opponents arranged for the upcoming international window. However, Obafemi believes the matches still serve an important purpose for the national team.
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“Ideally, everyone would like to see Nigeria play against bigger teams,” Obafemi said.
Despite that, the former defender explained that international friendlies are not always about high-profile opponents but about preparing the team for future competitions.
“Even if the opponents are not the biggest names, these games can still be very useful,” he added.
According to Obafemi, the matches will give the coaching crew the opportunity to evaluate a wider pool of players, particularly those performing well in European leagues and in the domestic competition.
“It allows the coaches to test more players and see what they can offer the national team,” he noted.
He also stressed that friendlies provide valuable opportunities to build squad depth, especially in a period where the team is trying to strengthen its options.
“You need to have enough quality players available in case injuries happen,” he explained.
Obafemi further stated that integrating new players into the squad is an essential part of the national team’s development process.
“These matches will help the technical crew identify players who can contribute in the future,” he said.
The former international concluded by urging fans to view the friendlies as part of the team’s broader rebuilding effort.
“What matters most is using the opportunity to improve the squad,” he added
