Nigeria, Venezuela Set For November Friendly In Huston Texas

Nigeria, Venezuela Set For November Friendly In Huston Texas 

Sampson Adedeji

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will step up preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a high-profile friendly against South American side Venezuela in November, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The encounter is scheduled for Friday, 14 November, at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Organisers confirmed that tickets for the international clash will go on an exclusive pre-sale on Wednesday, 10 September, before opening to the general public on Thursday, 11 September.

The fixture will give Nigeria’s head coach an opportunity to fine-tune his squad ahead of the continental showpiece in Morocco early next year. It will also offer a platform for fringe players to stake a claim for a spot in the AFCON party.

Venezuela, meanwhile, are expected to parade a strong squad as they continue their build-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles last featured at the Shell Energy Stadium on 31 May 2013, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Mexico in another friendly. 

Venezuela will also be making a return to Houston for the first time since 24 March 2024, when they faced Honduras in a preparatory match.

Both sides are expected to announce their full squad lists closer to the date, with fans already anticipating an entertaining encounter between two teams with plenty to prove ahead of major tournaments.