ABUJA- African champions Nigeria will train in Houston in the United States for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a top official has announced.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi had proposed the team train in either Miami or Houston for the World Cup, but top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official Chris Green said the country had settled on the Texas city.

"Nigeria will train for the World Cup in Houston," said Green, chairman of the NFF technical committee.

"We want to make a statement at our fifth World Cup and so we have to prepare adequately."

Nigeria, who will open the training camp on May 25, have reached the World Cup round of 16 twice, in 1994 and 1998.

The Super Eagles will face Mexico in a World Cup warm-up in Houston on March 5.

Green also said the team plan four other friendly matches before their first World Cup group match against Iran on June 16 in Curitiba.

Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina are the other teams in Group F along with the Eagles.

SOURCE: AFP