The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that it is working to organise two international friendlies for the Super Falcons.

Amaju Pinnick, NFF President disclosed this during a working visit to the new secretariat of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) at the old NFF’s Glass House in Abuja.

Pinnick said the federation was in talks with the unnamed countries for the matches, while the NFF also intends to utilise every FIFA window to organise matches for the national female team.

He also added that the Glass House was in touch with some Nigerian-born players who have written and offered to shift international allegiance to the Super Falcons.

Pinnick lauded the Chairperson of the Women’s League, Aisha Falode, as a priceless asset with a lot of focus, creativity, ingenuity in rebuilding and redirecting the women’s game in Nigeria.

In her, Falode said that the women’ football in Africa was pioneered in Nigeria, describing the female league as paramount to the growth of football in the country and development of the national team.

“We are extremely and thoroughly grateful to the NFF President and General Secretary for bequeathing to us this edifice to make this our home.

That is why I invited them to come and give us their blessings so that this place will continue to be the house of gold for women football and that the great achievements we have ahead of us will be catalyzed from this building,” Falode said.

She appealed to the NFF to support and enable Nigeria participate in the maiden edition CAF Champions League for women in 2021 and encourage teams in the NWFL to prepare for the event by playing a full season.

Ronald Koeman has denied suggestions Lionel Messi is difficult to manage, insisting he has a good relationship with Barcelona’s captain.

In an interview published in El Pais on Sunday, former Barca coach Quique Setien said he found it hard to handle Messi during his brief spell in charge last season.

“There are players that aren’t easy to manage, and Leo is one of them,” Setien said. “I can’t do anything if those at the club have accepted him for how he is and haven’t changed him for years.”

But Koeman defended Messi when Setien’s comments were put to him in a press conference on Tuesday. “Everyone has their opinion and I respect that but I can only say that Messi is a very, very good player, the best in the world.

I see his ambition, his character but he is not a player I have difficulty managing. “Every coach is different but for me he is the captain and I talk to him every week about things in the dressing room and on the pitch and there is a good relationship.

“I don’t agree (with Setien) but I respect his opinion and what he has experienced.” Barcelona face Dinamo Kiev on Wednesday in the Champions League, where their strong start in Group G has brought some relief from their poor form in La Liga.

Koeman’s side sit top of the group after beating Juventus and Ferencvaros but in La Liga, they are 12th, having not won any of their last four games.

“I understand the criticism. Two points from the last four games is not good and it is normal for criticism to come. I accept it and keep working to improve things,” said Koeman. Koeman also said goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is in contention to return after recovering from a knee injury.

“He’s been training with us for almost a week. He looks well,” said Koeman. Dinamo Kiev have taken only a point from their first two Champions League games and could be weakened at Camp Nou, after six players tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

“It influences their quality but we saw last week that Shakhtar (Donetsk) came with players out and they beat Real Madrid,” said Koeman. “We can’t expect them to be impacted too much.”