The planned friendly game between Argentina and the senior national team of Nigeria will still go ahead despite the decision of the host of the game China cancelling the agreement, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Chinese sporting authority cancelled the deal to host the March international friendly game between Argentina and Nigeria after a row with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi over his non participation in a friendly game in Hong Kong, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Messi was due to play in a friendly game for his team Inter Miami against Hong Kong XI, but didn’t play in the game due to a groin injury which angered thousands of fans who turned up to catch a glimpse of the reigning best player in the world, who they were told will play in the game.
The game will still hold in March but at a date that will be communicated after an agreement is reached by both parties. We exclusively gathered that the game will now be played in the United States of America.
Argentina will also take on El Salvador in another friendly game, Nigeria are also shopping for another game in the international window as they look to build on the success of finishing as runners up in the recently completed Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
They lost 1-2 to the host in the final game, and the game against Argentina will be their first warm up game in preparation for the resumption of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, where they will take on South Africa in Uyo in June.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman