NFF sweat on Eagles international friendlies

By Morakinyo Abodunrin

The much anticipated international friendly matches for the Super Eagles in October are hanging in the balance with words rife that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to get authorization for the October double header in Austria.

Super Eagles are billed to  clash with West African long-time rivals  Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on 9th October  with  the other fixture to be held four days later at the same venue against  the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia whom they defeated 1-0 to clinch Bronze at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

But NationSport have learnt on good authority that the NFF is yet to get the green light for both encounters due to the prevailing strict COVID-19 regulations.

Though football has resumed fully in Europe with qualifiers for the UEFA Nations League in full swing as well as matches across various leagues, most countries have reportedly instituted stiffer COVID-10 protocols after two England’s national team players reportedly broke Iceland’s quarantine restrictions for visiting soccer teams while on international duty.

“The truth is that the NFF in conjunction with the organisers are still working on authorization from the government (for the friendly matches) and hopefully this would be  sorted out soon,” a competent source told Nation Sport. “COVID-19 has changed everything  but there is no need to worry.”

NationSport further gathered that  the NFF is yet to interact with the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development  as per the October friendly .

“ The NFA (NFF) is expected to brief  the Ministry  on the plans (for the friendly matches) which must be in line with all government guidelines regarding COVID-19, “  stated  an aide to the Sport Minister Sunday Dare.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick  announced on 2 September  via his twitter handle that Super Eagles would face  both Cote d’Ivoire and  Tunisia in October but it remains to be seen if those games would go ahead.