Nigeria want World Cup matches rescheduled

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked Fifa to reschedule the Super Eagles’ 2014 World Cup qualifiers in June for fairness.

Nigeria are in Group F alongside the Flames and they are joint top with five points each, but the Super Eagles are ahead courtesy of a better goal difference.

The NFF has proposed that all the games in their group be played on the same days.

This would either be on 5 and 12 June or the original dates of 8 and 15 June.

Last week, Fifa adjusted Nigeria’s qualifiers as they are also going to play in the Confederations Cup in June.

NFF general secretary Musa Amadu told a press briefing in Lagos that the current situation gives the Flames an advantage over the Super Eagles.

“We make this request in the interest of fairness, as at the moment, Nigeria and Malawi have same number of points (five) and for Nigeria to play two days before Malawi in each of the two important qualifying games in June will give undue advantage to the Malawians.

“We see the Confederations Cup as a key tournament, but we also know we have to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals as priority.

“It is important to us to go to the Fifa Confederations Cup and then return to Brazil a year later for the FIFA World Cup finals,” Amadu was quoted as saying by the BBC.

However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said they were still waiting for official communication from Fifa on the actual dates of the games.

“Fifa indicated that they might revise the fixtures, but we are yet to get official communication on the same,” said Nyirenda.

Nigeria are due to play Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Nairobi on 5 June before travelling to Namibia a week later and then to Brazil for the Confederations Cup.

The Confederations Cup, which features world champions Spain, the six continental champions and World Cup hosts Brazil, kicks off on 15 June.