"COMPLEXITIES" FORCE ARSENAL FC TO CANCEL PRE-SEASON VISIT TO NIGERIA AS SUPER EAGLES DRAW LIBERIA IN CAN 2013 FINAL QUALIFYING ROUND.

The much touted pre-season game between Arsenal Football Club and the Super Eagles of  Nigeria has been postponed by the London club. The much anticipated trip was decided against due to some "complexities linked to the planned game."

According to the Club's Marketing Director, Angus Kinnear, "Bringing a top-level club to an international market is always complicated and logistically challenging. "With the proposed match in Nigeria planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything needed to satisfy our requirements, so we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the team's visit."
He further stated that the team had a huge and loyal following in Africa. While rendering the clubs apology for not visiting this time out he was quick to add that they were making plans to visit next summer. The cancellation may not be unconnected with the present security situation in the Northern part of the country which has already seen several foreign Nations advising their citizens on their exposure to the capital city. Already some foreign airlines have pulled out their flight crew from Abuja and are gradually shifting base to Lagos and Accra, moreover, the playing turf of the new Abuja National Stadium is in a sorry state with the NFF dilly dallying over the best possible means of bringing it up to scratch.

Super Eagles Pose For A Match.

Meanwhile, just days after the Super Eagles of Nigeria moved up two places in the FIFA rankings from the 60th to the 58th position following their recent performances in the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, the Stephen Keshi led Eagles will have been to fly past Liberia in the final qualifying round of the 2013 Orange Cup of African Nations to be in contention for the trophy in South Africa where the competition will be held. The draw also pitched Africa's best team at the moment, Elephants of Cote d' Ivoire with the Terranga Lions of Senegal in what promises to be a fine football exhibition for Africa. First round matches will be played between the 7th,8th and 9th of September 2012.

Earlier, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi said that while not being afraid of any team, he hoped for a favourable draw. that prayer seems to have been answered with the pairing of Nigeria and Liberia. What remains to be seen is if the new look Eagles can soar above the Liberians and put some smile back on the faces of Nigerians. Can I hear an Amen?