CAF Agrees New Date for Eagles, Pharaohs Clash

Nigeria’s all important Africa Cup of Nations Group G qualifier with Egypt has been moved back by three days according to the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF).

The clash with the Pharaohs of Egypt was earlier scheduled for 23 March 2016 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna but will now be played on the 26th at the same venue.

Media Officer of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, told supersport. com that CAF has given its blessing for the new date for the clash.

“We were given the option to choose the dates between 23-26 of March and we choose the 26th, which is a Saturday.

“This has been communicated to the Confederation of African Football and we have been giving the approval to go ahead with the date.

“It’s most likely the return leg in Egypt will take place on the 29th of March.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has said he will delay his choice of players like Chelsea loanee Victor Moses for the clash against Egypt to be sure they will be available for the matches.

Moses, who is on loan to West Ham from Chelsea, has not played under Oliseh since he took charge of the Eagles in July 2015, but he is now believed to be in the team’s plans as Nigeria pulls all the stops to ensure Egypt is defeated in Kaduna.

“Victor Moses is doing well, but he is always on and off, injured… okay… injured… okay…,” complained Oliseh.

“We will pick players who are fit and doing well, but we will only do that just about the time we will invite the players because what if I have a player on my head now and just when we will invite, he is injured or has some problems?”

The Eagles gaffer also disclosed he has not ruled out some new faces for the Egypt matches.

“It’s very possible (to call up new players) because this game is one we want to go with all the artillery we have,” he admitted.

“Everyone who is doing well knows he will be considered for selection.”

Nigeria is in second place in Group G of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers with four points from two games, two points behind leaders Egypt who are on six points.

Tanzania and Chad are in third and fourth place respectively with only the group winners making the trip to Gabon for the showpiece event in 2017.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the biennial African football event since lifting the title in South Africa in 2013.