Nigeria to face Ghana, Jamaica in England as NFF plans invitational tournament

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly planning for the Super Eagles to take part in a four-nation invitational tournament in England this June, Footynaija.com reports.

The tournament will feature Nigeria, Ghana, and Jamaica, and one other team, as reported by Own Goal Nigeria.

This tournament will help Eric Chelle fine-tune his squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. With Nigeria struggling in their qualification campaign, these games will serve as a test for the Super Eagles before they return to competitive action.

Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes have taken a hit, with the team currently fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches. Group leaders South Africa have 13 points, while Rwanda and Benin are both on eight points each, leaving Nigeria in a difficult position.

The NFF sees this tournament as a crucial opportunity for Eric Chelle to build a stronger team and correct past mistakes before the must-win games against Rwanda and South Africa.

The friendly matches will allow him to test different tactics and formations in a competitive setting.

A clash between Nigeria and Ghana always brings excitement, no matter the occasion. The last time these two teams met in a World Cup qualifier, Ghana shattered Nigeria’s 2022 World Cup dreams, advancing on away goals after a 1-1 draw in Abuja.

That painful memory still haunts fans, and the Super Eagles will be determined to make a statement this time around.

With Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi expected to feature, Nigeria will be looking to dominate the Black Stars. However, Ghana, known for their physical style and talented squad, will always be a tough opponent.

Facing Jamaica is a less common challenge. The Reggae Boyz have been improving in recent years, boasting a squad filled with Premier League and European-based players, including Leon Bailey (Aston Villa), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Demarai Gray (Al-Ettifaq), and Mason Greenwood who recently indicated an interest to switch allegiance to Jamaica.

As revealed by Total Football Analysis, Jamaica’s style of play is one built around pace, strength, and direct attacking football. This could test Nigeria’s defensive structure.

With William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Ola Aina in the backline, the Super Eagles will need to stay sharp against Jamaica’s quick attackers.

Beyond team preparation, this tournament is also an opportunity for players to prove themselves. With important World Cup qualifiers coming up later in the year, every squad member will be looking to impress Eric Chelle and secure a place in the starting lineup.

This is a chance for Osimhen to extend his goal-scoring form, Wilfred Ndidi to control the midfield, and fringe players to stake their claim for more playing time.

Most importantly, the tournament will allow Eric Chelle to assess his squad depth and determine his best possible lineup ahead of the qualifiers.

And while these matches are labelled as friendlies, they serve a bigger purpose.

If Chelle’s side can perform well in England, it will give them the boost they need to tackle Rwanda and South Africa with renewed belief.