On Tuesday, the FAI announced that the Republic of Ireland would play Senegal and Luxembourg in the June international window.
While the date for the game Senegal game hasn't been confirmed yet, reports on the Senegalese side say the fixture will be played on Friday, June 6.
It'll be the first time Ireland has hosted a nation from the African continent at the Aviva since the stadium re-opened in 2009.
While Ireland have played South Africa at Thomond Park in 2009, Nigeria at Craven Cottage in 2009 and Algeria at the RDS in 2010, it's been a long time the Republic of Ireland have hosted an African nation in the national stadium.
It got us nostalgic for the last time it happened at Lansdowne Road: Nigeria's visit on Dublin on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Nigeria had drawn UEFA opposition in Sweden and England in Group F, while Ireland would play Cameroon to start their tournament, so it was a fixture that suited both counties.
The match came two days after Niall Quinn's testimonial at Sunderland, which Roy Keane famously missed to receive treatment on his hamstring. Keane was fit to play against Nigeria, and it would be the last time he'd play for Ireland at Lansdowne Road for nearly almost two years.
Paddy Reilly played Fields of Athenry before kickoff and both Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney were in attendance.
It was a Nigeria team that featured Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu and Taribo West, as well as Efe Sodje and his memorable bandana. Germany manager Rudi Voeller flew in to do some firsthand scouting. Nigeria won 2-1 - with Steven Reid scoring Ireland's only goal in the second half - and handed Mick McCarthy his first home loss in two years.
Lansdowne Road gave the Boys in Green a warm send-off on a rainy night, but the storm clouds were gathering. Ireland would depart for the World Cup the next and just eight days later, Roy Keane boarded a flight from Saipan, on his way back to Manchester.
These were Vincent Hogan's player ratings in the Irish Independent:
Given 7, Finnan 7, Harte 7, Cunningham 7, Staunton 8, McAteer 6, Holland 7, Roy Keane 7, Kilbane 6, Robbie Keane 7, Duff 8. Subs: Reid 8, Connolly 7, Kelly 7, Kinsella 7.
Photos from the Ireland v Nigeria friendly in 2002
16 May 2002; The Republic of Ireland team, back row, from left, Roy Keane, Steve Staunton, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff, Kenny Cunningham and Ian Harte, front row, fron left, Jason McAteer, Matt Holland, Shay Given, Steve Finnan and Robbie Keane, prior to the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
16 May 2002; Tanaiste, Mary Harney T.D. watches the game between Republic of Ireland v Nigeria, International Friendly, in preparation for World Cup 2002, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE
16 May 2002; Rudi Voller, Germany Manager, pictured at his arrival prior to the start of the Republic of Ireland v Nigeria game, International Friendly, in preparation for World Cup 2002, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / SPORTSFILE
16 May 2002; An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. pictured at the Republic of Ireland v Nigeria game, International Friendly, in preparation for World Cup 2002, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE
16 May 2002; Nwankwo Kanu, Nigeria, in action against the Republic of Ireland's Ian Harte during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
16 May 2002; Damien Duff, Republic of Ireland, in action against Isaac Okoronkwo, Nigeria. Republic of Ireland v Nigeria, International Friendly, in preparation for World Cup 2002, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
16 May 2002; Republic of Ireland's Roy Keane applauds the fans at the end of the game. Republic of Ireland v Nigeria, International Friendly, in preparation for World Cup 2002, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE
16 May 2002; Republic of Ireland supporters shelter from the rain during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
16 May 2002; Nigeria's Efe Sodje gives the thumbs up after scoring his sides second goal during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
