The Nigerian Football Federation has announced that the AFCON 2017 qualifying match Sierra Leone and Ivory coast which was supposed to be played at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos has been moved to Port-Harcourt.
The reigning African champions will have to face Sierra Leaone in Nigeria because of fears of the Ebola virus which has ravaged the country and the NFF in a statement relased on its website said the match will be moved due to complaints from the CIV FA over playing on an artificial pitch.
Augustin Sidy Diallo, president of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), on Tuesday, said the Elephants’ arrive PH on Friday morning.
The match will be played at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium and it would be the first time Nigeria is hosting a competitive international involving two other countrie. The qualifying match will start at 4pm.
The Sierra Leone delegation of 33 persons, led by president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Isha Johansen, will arrive the Rivers state capital on Wednesday evening.
Coach Michel Dussuyer will not be able to call upon African Player of the Year Yaya Toure. The coach omitted Cheick Tiote, Siaka Tiene and Lacina Traore from his squad to face the Leone stars.
The Elephants will however be able upon goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohou, defenders Serge Aurier, Mamadou Bagayoko and Adama Traore, midfielders Ismael Diomande, Serey Die, Serge N’Guessan and forwards Seydou Doumbia, Gervinho, Max Gradel, Giovanni Sio and Salomon Kalou.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have commenced closed door training sessionsat the Abuja national stadium today, ahead of their qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es salam on Sunday, September 6.
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