FIFA cancels Eagles, Black Stars friendly

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, March 1st, 2015

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter
| credits: File copy

World football governing body, FIFA, has cancelled the proposed friendly match between Nigeria and Ghana scheduled to hold on March 29 in London.

The Eagles were scheduled to play Bolivia on March 26 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and then take on the Black Stars three days later.

But according to the FIFA regulations, no country should play two games across two continents in three days, so a directive from FIFA on Saturday nullified the proposed meeting.

NFF media officer, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that Nigeria had received the directive and were working on getting a replacement for the Eagles.

“We’re aware of the directive and have written to FIFA,” Olajire told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday.

“It’s a FIFA-free day that we can’t afford to waste. There are other African teams we’re considering as replacement for Ghana. Hopefully, we’ll get that done before next week.”

The Ghana Football Association are already considering other teams including Australia as replacement for Nigeria. The Black Stars have the option to play the two matches either in Europe or Asia.

While Ghana finished second at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea after losing 9-8 on penalties to Ivory Coast, Nigeria failed to be part of the continental showpiece and need to have quality friendlies before 2017 AFCON qualifiers start in June.

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