Black Stars, Eagles to clash in London

Nigeria has proposed a friendly against perennial rivals Ghana in London next month, the Vanguard has reported.

According to the report, the move is aimed at enabling the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make the most of next month’s FIFA friendly window which will allow them to play another match outside the 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania on the weekend of September 4-6.

World football governing body FIFA cancelled a similar proposal earlier this year because it contravened a new rule which said a team could not play international friendlies within three days in two confederations.

Vanguard quotes a source as saying, “There is a proposal for Nigeria to play against arch-rivals Ghana in London after they would have played the AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

“Discussions are on-going and we will just have to wait and see if this comes through,” the source was quoted saying.

Both West African rivals have clashed several times in London with their last such clash being in October 2011, when they played out a goalless draw.

Earlier this year, a home-based Super Eagles team pipped Ghana Olympic team courtesy of an Emem Eduok goal to open the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.