Brazil to play 2 friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria in Singapore in October
UPDATE: Brazil announced on Friday (20 September) the 23-man squad to play the two friendly matches in Singapore: Goakeepers: Ederson, Santos, Weverton. Defenders: Daniel Alves, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Renan Lodi, Rodrigo Caio, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Eder Militao. Midfielders: Casemiro, Fabinho, Arthur, Matheus Henrique, Lucas Paqueta, Philippe Coutinho. Forwards: Richarlison, Gabriel Barbosa, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Neymar, Everton.
SINGAPORE — The Brazilian national football team, featuring the likes of Neymar, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, will be playing at the National Stadium in Singapore for the first time since 2014.
According to a media statement put up on the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) website on Monday (16 September), the reigning Copa America champions will be playing two friendly matches against Africa sides Senegal and Nigeria on 10 and 13 October respectively.
Senegal, led by Liverpool star Sadio Mane, are the best African side in the Fifa world rankings at No. 20. They reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in July this year, but lost 0-1 to Algeria.
The 10 October friendly would be the first time Brazil will play Senegal. They have faced Nigeria – ranked 33rd in the world – once before in 2003, when they won 3-0 in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
The Nigerian football team, nicknamed Super Eagles, reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations before losing 1-2 to Algeria.
Why top African sides are chosen
Under current head coach Tite, they have faced just one African side, when they defeated Cameroon 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Everton striker Richarlison.
National team coordinator Juninho Paulista said on the CBF website, "We chose two of the best African teams because they are high-level confrontations and the Brazilian national team has had few encounters (with them) in recent years.”
This will be the second time the Brazil national football team have come to play in Singapore. In October 2014, they faced Japan in a football friendly in front of a 51,577-strong crowd at the National Stadium, and won 4-0 with all four goals scored by Neymar.
It will be the first visits to Singapore for both Senegal and Nigeria.
The Singapore national football side will also play their 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Uzbekistan at the National Stadium next month, two days after the Brazil v Nigeria game.
Ticketing details
Tickets for the two matches will go on sale on 19 September (Thursday) from 10am at the SportsHub website. Tickets for a single game are priced from $29 onwards, while there are special-bundle prices from $49 onwards for two games.
Fans may also choose the $299 SuperFan Package, which includes VIP lanyard and pass, access to a dedicated VIP lounge, Centreline platinum tickets with padded seats and drink holders, as well as refreshments.
Fans who have purchased tickets to watch the Singapore vs Uzbekistan match will be entitled to a 30 per cent discount on either one of the Brazil matches.
Other Singapore stories:
Blogger who used sex videos to blackmail teenage girl gets jail, caning
Body found at Chin Swee Road: Couple charged with murdering their toddler in March 2014
Singapore convenes Haze Task Force, sets out advisories to manage haze impact
