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SuperSport.com learnt that the football federation in Nigeria had taken international friendly proposals from the FAs of Ghana and South Africa into consideration earlier this week.
But on consulting the head coach, Samson Siasia and some players of the Nigerian men’s team, the NFF opted for the Ghana game.
The Eagles made clear that they are favourably disposed to the Ghana game since it would hold at Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium on August 9.
Coincidentally, the proposed friendly with South Africa has been scheduled to hold on August 10, which the team frowned at due to the long trip they will have to embark upon from their different locations in Europe to the southern African nation.
The players are also mindful that both friendly games from Ghana and South Africa come days before the 2011/2012 season begins across Europe.
“The players do not want the South Africa friendly since it will amount to them having to travel thousands of miles from their various base in Europe back to the continent. It is even worse because at about that time it will be just a few days to the start of the season in Europe. So that’s why they have settled for the game against Ghana in London,” said a source in the NFF.
Two attempts by our correspondent to speak to the NFF acting general secretary, Musa Amadu, did not materialise, as he said he was too busy to react to the development.
“Right now I am busy. Could you call me later?” said Amadu in SuperSport.com’s first attempt to confirm this development.
A second attempt to reach the acting scribe of the troubled Nigerian football body later on Tuesday failed as his mobile telephone rang without response.
On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the Ghana High Commission in London to unveil details of the Ghana – Nigeria friendly.
The last time both West African nations met in an international friendly in London, the Black Stars of Ghana triumphed 4 – 1.
