Top shots of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have apparently bowed to pressure regarding insecurity in the Middle East, as they are now focusing on the possibility of a single match for the Super Eagles against Jordan.
Sports247 gathered that, in contrast with the initial plan of a mini competition that would also involve Iran and Costa Rica alongside Nigeria in Jordan’s capital, the Super Eagles may end up playing a single game at a venue in Europe.
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The plan includes getting Jordan to step out of their country in order to play the Eagles on March 27th at a neutral venue somewhere in Europe, considering safety fears currently rocking their capital.
This arises from the fact that Jordan, which was initially earmarked to host the mini-competition, is also part of the Middle East that is now engulfed in deadly missile attacks from Israel and USA on Iran, who are targeting all their neighbours in retaliation.
However, while the NFF are reportedly making alternative plans for the proposed mini-competition in Jordan, nothing has been said about their protest to FIFA over DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players for last year’s Wold Cup play-off competition in Morocco.
Despite growing concern among fans and with the international play-off date drawing closer, the most recent comment on the NFF’s protest was from National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who said there is still hope for Nigeria to be part of the contest.
It’s left to be seen if Dikko is not being economical with the truth, as the frenetic manner in which the NFF are going about seeking a friendly for the Eagles within that same international window seems to suggest they already know their protest has been thrown out by FIFA, hence an alternative outing for the national team.
This can be inferred further from a post by Super Eagles’ former media officer, Colin Udoh, who disclosed that a single match against Jordan will be the last option after other alternatives are considered by the organisers.
“An NFF source tells me the mini tournament that the Super Eagles were scheduled to play this month will be relocated, possibly to Europe, due to the situation in the Middle East. But Iran will no longer participate.
“However, in the event that a tournament is not possible, organizers are working on a single game between Nigeria and Jordan, with location also in Europe,” Udoh posted on X
