It’s a quirk of football’s simultaneous globalisation and commercialisation that Nigeria are hosting Serbia at The Hive, home of League Two strugglers Barnet. Arguably it makes sense for Nigeria’s mostly European-based squad to congregate at a London venue that’s renowned for its high quality facilities. It’s surely less fun for striker Odion Ighalo, whose travels from China to Poland to London and back again will at least add handsomely to his air miles.

Nigeria v Serbia at Barnet FC in Edgware.

The turnout looks pitiful ahead of kick-off as Serbia’s players pepper shots towards The Hive’s South Terrace, although the two dozen or so early arrivals can at least boast of an unlikely experience. How often in life will you almost be decapitated by a wayward Nemenja Matić shot?

By the time kick-off approaches, however, it’s far busier with approximately equal numbers of similarly boisterous Nigerian and Serbian fans making up a crowd of perhaps 2500.

The friendly offers a chance for both managers to assess their abilities and experiment with new ideas ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The two teams seem to be in a similar predicament: there’s the potential for them to be a surprise package, but it’s also feasible that they won’t even escape their group.

It doesn’t take long for Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrović to commence his usual rampaging how-to-make-friends-and-influence routine. Awaiting a corner with just four minutes on the clock, over enthusiasm from Mitrović and his marker, centre-back Chiedozie Awaziem, results in the referee’s request for calm.

Unsurprisingly Mitrović is also involved in the game’s next talking point, albeit this time entirely innocently. His header appears to squirm away from the teenage goalkeeper Francis Uzoha and over the goalline, but it’s ruled out — much to the dismay of the Serbian support.

Serbia remain the dominant force throughout the first half, with direct balls down the left to Filip Kostić repeatedly stretching Nigeria’s relatively inexperienced defence. The Super Eagles’ attacking impetus is generally restricted to darting runs by Victor Moses, one of which ends in a save from Vladimir Stojković, and Ahmed Musa’s mostly futile attempts to bring his team mates into play.

With no match day programme or catering facilities on the South Terrace, half-time entertainment is restricted to watching one Serbian fan collar as many of his team’s subs for selfies as possible. From this position, It’s also a little surreal to realise that you’re marginally closer to the Jubilee Line trains that shoot by than you are to the opposing goal.

The introduction of Ighalo gives Nigeria a little extra spark, but it would’ve surely been more productive to send him on in place of Musa rather than Moses. Chants supporting Alex Iwobi swirl around the stadium, although his confidence and flair can’t mask his ultimate lack of creativity.

Mitrović is again centre of attention when something finally happens. Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty box, he feeds Kastić into space, who then returns the favour with a cross for a simple finish.

As is tradition in the world of international friendlies, the game drifts towards nothingness courtesy of a flurry of late substitutions. The Kastić / Mitrović show haven’t called it a day though, and the pair combine to create a replica of their first goal. The Super Eagles are grounded with ten minutes remaining.

The full-time whistle blows and fans of both sides pile onto the pitch for no discernable reason. There’s no trouble, but a repeated command to leave attempts to bore them into submission with its monotony, and echoes along the unlit walk back to Canons Park station.

A cameraman’s view of the pitch invasion.

On today’s evidence, Nigeria’s World Cup opposition — Argentina, Iceland and Croatia — feels daunting. But tournaments rarely go precisely as expected, as the nation demonstrated by eliminating Spain and Bulgaria in 1998, and much can change in the weeks leading up to the opening ceremony in Moscow.

Serbia, however, will have gained confidence. No-one’s going to back them versus Brazil, but their mix of experience, creativity and brute force suggests potential for positive results against Costa Rica and Switzerland.