As the international break arrives, football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating some captivating matchups to sustain their passion until club football resumes. While the window is primarily filled with international friendlies, the fixtures promise excitement, fueled by the enduring rivalries among the participating teams.
Here’s a selection of standout fixtures to keep an eye on during this break.
1. Ghana versus Nigeria in Morocco.
It’s a replay of arguably the biggest rivalry in African football. A team on the up, Nigeria against a struggling Ghanaian side hoping to rebuild after disappointing performances in recent times. With a new boss, Otto Addo, a new technical team and pretty much a bulk of the players at the heart of the disgraceful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) display, many Black Stars fans would be looking for early evidence of hope.
Nigeria have four wins in their last five matches, with their only defeat in the period coming in the 2023 AFCON final against Ivory Coast in February.
Forson Amankwah, Francis Abu and Ibrahim Osman joined the Black Stars team for their second training session today.
All three players were handed debut call-ups #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/6mmCZxszVs
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) March 20, 2024
Ghana on the other hand approach this game without a win in any of their last five matches and will be aiming to turn their fortunes around, yet a lot is required to move the team forward under the new technical team.
- Nigeria appoint new coach ahead of Ghana and Mali matches
- 13 Black Stars players begin training in Morocco ahead of Nigeria and Uganda games
2. England versus Brazil
One of the Games that unfold the world’s biggest talents will see England take on Brazil in an international friendly on March 23, 2024 at the Wembley Stadium. Out of their last five meetings against each other, both teams have a win each, with three draws played out in the period setting the stage for a massive showdown.
England booked a place at Euro 2024 without a single defeat in the qualifying process and this game should test their efficiency and technical prowess as they take on the record winners of the FIFA World Cup.
The Three Lions’ impressive form is characterised with four wins and a draw in their last five matches ahead of the clash while Brazil are in desperate need of finding themselves again after losing three successive matches and drawing once in their last five games.
3. France versus Germany
Two old European giants will battle in out at the Groupama Stadium when France welcome Germany in an international friendly on Saturday night. Les Blues will look to avenge their 2-1 loss last year in September to Germany as they hold the head-to-head advantage in their last five matches against the visitors.
France have three wins and a draw in their last five matches and have lost only once ( to Germany) in their last five matches.
Germany on the other hand have two wins and two losses in their last five matches, and have drawn one game as well in the period.
4. Spain versus Brazil
The Santiago Bernabeu is the venue for one of the most intriguing matches of the international break when Spain host Brazil on 26th March 2024.
It will be Spain’s second international friendly as they will take on Columbia in their first match after the club football break.
La Roja are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions ahead of the game and will look to count on their bright young talents to produce magic in this clash.
Meanwhile, the five-time World champions have only one win in their last five matches and lost 1-0 to Argentina last year In November in what was their third straight defeat on the international scene.
To biggest meeting of the two teams this century was the 2013 Confederations Cup final. However, a lot has changed since Brazil’s 3-0 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup final in 2013, with new crop of players bursting forth for both sides, so there’s still enough quality to look forward to and this game will most definitely present an interesting result.
5. Germany versus Holland
Germany will host the Netherlands in their second international friendly match in hopes of turning their poor run of form against the Dutch team around. Germany have only one win in their last five matches against the Netherlands and Julian Nagelsman will be aiming to improve his team’s performance ahead of the upcoming Euros in the summer of 2024.
Die Mannschaft have two wins and two defeats in their last five international matches, while drawing once (against Mexico) in the period.
Netherlands however have four victories in their last five matches, with their only defeat in the period coming against France last year in October in the European Championship qualifiers.
These matches will definitely keep many fans across the world excited and entertained on the international break ahead of the final stretch of the ongoing 2023/2024 club European season.
By Prosper Kuzo|3Sports|Ghana