Nigeria will play Mali and Luxemburg respectively on May 27 and June 1 as part of the ongoing rebuilding programme at preparing the team for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Having failed to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has now focused its attention on getting the Eagles prepared for the World Cup coming up in Russia in two years time.
However, the French embassy in Abuja has denied visas to several officials and a player scheduled to take part in the game, to the chagrin of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). According to the NFF, Nigeria’s two matches are being threatened by denial of entry visa to the only home-based player, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, two coaches and several administrative officials.
NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are appealing to the embassy of France in Nigeria to reconsider its stance and issue visas to these officials. They are going to Europe for very important assignments as the two matches are key to the preparation of the Super Eagles for future engagements.”
NFF protocol officials revealed that about 60% of the passports taken to the embassy on Friday, April 29 have been returned without visas. Nigeria faces Mali in Rouen, France, on Friday, May 27, before engaging Luxembourg on Wednesday, June 1.
All arrangements for the two matches, including payments for stadia use, training facilities and hotel accommodation have been concluded by the organisers. It is not yet clear if the foreign ministry will intervene in the matter to get the French to back down.
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