Game Off: Nigeria Versus Argentina International Friendly Cancelled Again

• Argentina’s proposed friendly with the Super Eagles has been cancelled again
• La Albiceleste were scheduled to take on Nigeria on March 26 in the USA
• Argentina and Nigeria have met nine times in the past

Nigeria’s highly anticipated friendly game against Argentina has reportedly been cancelled for the second time after its earlier cancellation by Chinese authorities after a fallout involving Lionel Messi.

The much-awaited international friendly between reigning FIFA World Cup champions and the Super Eagles was confirmed to hold on March 26, 2024 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, USA.

According to Own Goal Nigeria, the friendly game will not take place again due to logistic issues, as Argentina has already replaced Nigeria with Costa Rica on the planned date at the same venue.

Ivory Coast Players Present AFCON Trophy to Fans During Meeting at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium

Football

La Albiceleste will also take on El Salvador rather than play reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion Ivory Coast, as previously announced by the Argentina Football Federation.

The Nigeria Football Federation has already begun the search for a new opponent for the Super Eagles as they aim to utilise the FIFA window to execute quality-friendly games for the national team.

Super Eagles AFCON money approved

Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant amount for the payment of outstanding debt being owed to members of the Super Eagles, Leadership reports.

Players and officials of the Nigeria team to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations were owed their winning bonuses and match allowance during the competition in Ivory Coast.

The NFF, in agreement with the Sports Ministry, had initially paid the players $30,000 each after the group stages with a promise of crediting the team another $30,000 after the competition had ended.

Nigeria vs Argentina friendly game set to get new date

Football

Ekong suffers season-ending injury

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has suffered a season-ending injury sustained during the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

The 30-year-old defender captained Nigeria to a second-place finish in the competition after falling to the hosts in the final played on February 11.

Ekong had a hamstring injury in the second group game against Ivory Coast, but he battled through the discomfort to assist Nigeria advance as far as possible. He converted a penalty in the 1-0 victory over the hosts.