Nigeria delay AFCON qualifier against Egypt

Ahram Online , Sunday 14 Feb 2016

A three-day delay may prove problematic for the Pharaohs, with Ahly and Zamalek players committed to other games around the two-leg national team qualifiers

Egypt players
Egypt's Mohamed El-Nenny (R) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match agaist Chad at Borg El Arab "Army Stadium" in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, north of Cairo, Egypt, November 17, 2015 (Reuters)

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved delaying the upcoming qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) between Nigeria and Egypt for three days.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) requested CAF to postpone the game to make sure stadium conditions are adequate.

The game was supposed to take place 23 March and is now confirmed for 26 March, only three days before the scheduled second-leg in Egypt.

"We have seen every part of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, and it seems ready for the Eagles-Pharaohs clash, but there is still some work to be done to ensure we have a perfect atmosphere come 26 March," NFF general secretary Sanusi Mohammed told NFF's official website Saturday.

The Egyptian side will suffer a heavy schedule amid the change, especially as most key players from Ahly and Zamalek clubs have other African commitments between 18-20 March, a week before the two-leg national teams clash.

The Pharaohs are on top of Group G of the Nations Cup qualifiers with a maximum six points from wins over Tanzania and Chad. Nigeria are second on four points.

Egypt are bidding to reach the Nations Cup for the first time since winning the last of their record seven titles in 2010.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: