The stately Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo will come alive today, when the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Cranes of Uganda lock horns in a prestigious international friendly match.

Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mikel (L) defends against Sudan’s Muhannad El Tahir (C) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying football match in Khartoum on October 11, 2014. Sudan defeated Nigeria 1-0. AFP PHOTO/EBRAHIM HAMID

The last time the venue witnessed elemental explosion of football proportions was when the Super Eagles hosted the Bafana Bafana in a 30th Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday, 19th November, 2014. The match ended 2-2.

The Bafana Bafana will be on the Super Eagles’ mind when they take on Uganda, as they also have a date with the South Africans in Nelspruit four days later.

Coincidentally, the first and last clashes between Nigeria and Uganda at senior level ended in 2-1 wins for the Cranes.

On March 14, 1978, Nigeria lost an Africa Cup of Nations semi final to Uganda 1-2 in Ghana, with both goals scored by Phillip Omondi. The last time both teams squared off was on June 2, 2007, the Cranes coming from behind to win 2-1 after John Utaka had put Nigeria ahead in a 2008 Nations Cup qualifier in Kampala.

In-between, Uganda won a friendly match 1-0 in Kampala on September 26, 1981; the Eagles won a Cup of Nations qualifier 2-0 in Lagos on August 28, 1992 and both teams drew 0-0 in Kampala on July 17, 1993.

The two teams’ clash in Abeokuta on March 24, 2007 sticks in the memory: it took a last-gasp Nwankwo Kanu header for Nigeria to earn a 1-0 win.