The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright has advised the Super Eagles of Nigeria to be fully prepared when they confront the Three Lions of England in an international friendly match.

Speaking on Thursday when top executive officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by its President, Amaju Pinnick paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, Arkwright informed the delegation that England was taking the match which will be played at the Wembley Stadium on June 2 very serious.

He said the British High Commission would also organize a number of events around the match both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening the relationship between both nations.

“Let me assure you that England is taking this match very serious. It is more than just a game; it is a big preparatory game towards the FIFA World Cup.

“More than that, the historical ties between our two countries are there to be considered, so it will serve to strengthen and enhance relations and good collaboration between our countries,” Arkwright said.

Responding, Pinnick said the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom was also making efforts towards ensuring that the much anticipated encounter was a huge success, since it will take place less than two weeks to the commencement of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Both countries have only met twice at senior level. The first encounter was a friendly international on November 16, 1994 when the Three Lions piped the Eagles 1-0 at the old Wembley Stadium, courtesy of a first half header by David Platt.

The second was a group phase tie at the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan which ended in a barren draw at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka.