Bafana Friendly on the Card for Eagles

Ahmed Musa in action against South Africa during the AFCON 2015 qualifier in Uyo...last year

After world football governing body, (FIFA), cancelled the proposed international friendly between the Nigeria and Ghana at the weekend, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are in talks with the South African Football Association (SAFA) on the possibilities of the Bafana Bafana as replacement for the Black Stars.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that both parties are likely to conclude talks on the March 29 FIFA free window Tuesday.
The Super Eagles were earlier scheduled to play Bolivia on March 26 at the ultra-modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo and then fly out to London to take on the AFCON 2015 finalists in London on March 29.

But FIFA insisted at the weekend that such cross-continental friendlies within a space of three days clearly violate its rules. It is in FIFA’s laws that no country should play two games across two continents in three days.

Top sources at the NFF confirmed to THISDAY yesterday that the Bafana Bafana friendly was a done deal for Eagles even as venue for the game is yet to be decided. The NFF is thinking of taking the senior national team to Johannesburg for the game.

Although unconfirmed yet, there were speculations last night that the National Under-23 team coached by Samson Siasia is likely to play the game against the South Africans with admixture of a couple of senior national team players.

“The thinking at the Glass House (NFF secretariat) is that the match will go along way in helping the Dream Team VI be in perfect shape during this qualification series for next year’s All Africa Games football event,” revealed our top football source.

The Bafana Bafana who stopped Nigeria from defending the 2013 AFCON at this year’s edition in Equatorial Guinea with a 2-2 draw result in Super Eagles last group qualifier in Uyo, THISDAY further learnt are looking forward to meeting the dethroned African champions.

“With the manner discussions have gone so far, we are very sure that that FIFA window will be utilized by Nigeria. It is very obvious,” stressed the top football source.

Brazil was initially listed to play Nigeria on March 29 at the Uyo stadium before a last minute change of plans by the South American football power-house. Bolivia came into the scene as last minute replacement for the Selecao.

The game was planned as one of the tune-up matches to keep Eagles busy ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting in June.

Source: THISDAY