Nigeria Versus Argentina Friendly Cancelled Amid Lionel Messi Backlash in China

• China has cancelled its plan to host the Argentina versus Nigeria friendly game
• This comes amid a growing backlash in the country against star player Lionel Messi
• Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou

The anticipated friendly match between Nigeria's Super Eagles and Argentina will no longer take place due to the backlash against star player Lionel Messi.

The Chinese sports authorities cancelled the friendly game in Hangzhou amid backlash over Messi's failure to play for Inter Miami in Hong Kong as fans are furious with the Argentina captain for his no-show.

According to the Daily Trust, Messi was the major attraction for an exhibition match between Inter Miami and a Hong Kong XI, but the Argentina captain did not play a single minute of the match.

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Argentina was supposed to play the Super Eagles in Hangzhou, China, in March before facing Ivory Coast in Beijing a few days later, but strong criticism of the 2022 World Cup winner forced the cancellation of both games.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast are currently set to battle each other in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Peterside tips Nigeria to beat Ivory Coast

Meanwhile, former Nigeria goalkeeper Idah Peterside is convinced that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will beat hosts Ivory Coast to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet reports.

After their group A encounter, which ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria, the Super Eagles will meet the Elephants for the second time in the competition, but this time in the final on Sunday, February 11.

After seeing how Ivory Coast struggled to defeat Mali and DR Congo in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, Peterside expects Nigeria to confirm their superiority against the Ivorians in the AFCON final.

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Nigeria vs Ivory Coast final preview

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the stage is set for the Africa Cup of Nations' ultimate game, with Ivory Coast facing Nigeria in the final on Sunday, February 11.

The Super Eagles have already beaten the Elephants 1-0 in the group stage, and will be looking to win again against the same opponents in the AFCON for the first time since they did so against Senegal in 2006.