Nigeria Content Online

The
Super Eagles may still get to test their mettle against their Iranian
counterparts as there are plans to get both national teams to play one
another in 2011, according to the Iranian Football Federation (FFI).

The Super Eagles
had been billed to take on Iran later today at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium,
but the tie was cancelled on Monday at the instance of the Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF).

Initial reports
suggested that strained diplomatic relations between the two countries
over a recent arms cache impounded last month in Lagos may have been
the reason for the cancellation. The NFF’s acting Secretary General,
Musa Amadu, in a letter to the FFI however said the unavailability of
the country’s top players was why the NFF called off the game.

Regardless of the
cancellation, Amadu, according to the FFI, has suggested playing two
friendly matches against the Iranians next year.

“The Nigerian
Football Federation secretary general Musa Amadu sent us a letter in
which he stated their key players cannot accompany the team. Amadu
suggested playing two friendlies in 2011,” said Abbas Torabian Director
of the FFI’s International Committee in a report published by the
Tehran Times.

Compensation

Torabian however said this won’t stop the Iranians from seeking compensation from the NFF over the cancellation.

“We sent a letter
to Nigeria Football Federation and claimed compensation after the match
was cancelled unilaterally, they answered our letter swiftly,” Torabian
told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

“The Nigerian side
have admitted that Iran was right and the African country would pay
compensation to us.” This view was also corroborated by the FFI’s
president, Ali Kafashian.

“We have had a contract with Nigeria and the game was an important test before the Asian games,” Kafashian told the ISNA.

“Therefore, we will definitely sue the Nigeria Football Federation and demand compensation.”

Amadu declined to confirm or refute claims by Torabian that he had suggested friendly games between Nigeria and Iran in 2011.

Speaking to NEXT
yesterday, Amadu said: “That is what he (Torabian) is quoted as saying
but the fact of the matter is that the game will not take place on
Wednesday.

“Further
speculation will not make the game go on, so if people want to
speculate now or in the future they are free to speculate,” he added.

Amadu also refused
to comment on plans by the Iranians to claim compensation from the NFF,
but he was quoted on a Nigerian website as saying: “All I can say at
this time is that both federations are discussing and we hope to reach
an amicable and reasonable settlement.

“We want to find a solution that will not damage the relationship
between the two federations, and we hope to have all that resolved at
the earliest possible time.”