Keshi lines up friendlies for Nigeria

Nigeria will play friendlies against Angola and Liberia this month.

The matches are in preparation for their Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifier against Rwanda next month.

Stephen Keshi will lead out a team made up of home-based players against the Palancas Negras on January 11.

The Angolans are preparing to play in the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea later this month.

They will also host Liberia in a yet-to-be-decided venue on January 14.

Senegal were set to play a friendly against Nigeria but were turned down by Keshi, who does not want to play against a full strength Teranga Lions with a team made up of new players from the local league due to the fierce rivalry between the countries.

Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2012 AFCON and are now rebuilding under former national team captain Keshi, who has called up a group of promising players from the local league as a platform of building for the future.