The Pharaohs of Egypt have turned down an offer to play a friendly match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Egypt Head Coach, Shawky Gharib said the proposed November 6 friendly does not fit well into his plan and would instead concentrate solely on qualifying for the next Africa Cup of Nations with two matches left to go.
“Nigeria are a very good side to play a friendly game against, but I decided not to play in any friendly game before the Senegal clash. I don’t have enough time, as the day eight of the Egyptian league will end on November 6. So I don’t have time to gather the players to play a friendly match.
“I also received an offer to play a friendly match against Iraq but I refused that too. The camp will be enough. I don’t want injuries in the team before the Senegal game,” Gharib was quoted as saying.
The Nigeria Football Federation had days back announced that they were wooing a North African country to play the Super Eagles to herald the opening of the newly-built Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.
The NFF may have to fall on an alternative plan as Egypt who were said to be top on the wish list have now backed out.
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