Pinnick calls off Egypt friendly
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has confirmed a proposed friendly against AFCON-bound Egypt will no longer be played in January.
He said the friendly was off because there were some conditions Nigeria could not meet like parading the country’s top Europe-based professionals as it will not be a FIFA-friendly window.
Pinnick said they are now shopping for other friendlies for the Super Eagles as a result of this cancellation.
Egypt were earlier due to take on Nigeria in a friendly on January 9 in Dubai as part of their build-up to the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.
We had earlier reported that the game was likely to be called off because cash-strapped NFF demanded Egypt bear the entire costs for the game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are shopping to play a friendly against Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire next year because their playing style is similar to the Super Eagles rivals Cameroun.
In August 2017, Nigeria will first welcome Cameroun before playing a reverse fixture against the Indomitable Lions a few days later in continuation of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
It is understood that the matches against West African foes Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire could be played in the FIFA-friendly window in March in London.
The other FIFA-friendly window will be in June, officials said.
