Rédaction Africa Links 24 with James Agberebi
Published on 2024-02-21 09:52:32
After a row involving Lionel Messi, Chinese sporting authorities have decided to cancel the international friendly between Argentina and Nigeria’s Super Eagles that was scheduled for next month. This decision was made following Messi’s failure to feature for Inter Miami in a friendly against Hong Kong Select XI in Hong Kong, resulting in widespread anger among fans. In response, the organizer of the Hong Kong match announced that they would provide a 50% refund for tickets. However, Messi had played in Japan just days later, causing further backlash. As a result, the sports authorities in Hangzhou decided to cancel the friendly match against Nigeria, citing that the conditions to hold the match were not mature.
The cancellation of the friendly has raised questions about whether Argentina’s other friendly against Ivory Coast in Beijing will be called off as well. In defense of his absence from the Hong Kong match, Messi denied claims that his absence was politically motivated, stating that it was due to injury. He emphasized that he always wants to play and be in every game. Following the cancellation, reports have indicated that the friendly game between Argentina and Nigeria has been rescheduled to take place in the United States of America in March. However, the date for the rescheduled match has not been announced.
The cancellation of the friendly between Argentina and Nigeria presents a setback for soccer fans who were looking forward to the match. The decision to cancel the match was made due to the controversy surrounding Messi’s absence from a previous game and the subsequent backlash from fans and organizers. The cancellation has also raised concerns about the potential impact on Argentina’s other friendly against Ivory Coast, with uncertainty surrounding the status of that match.
It is clear that the decision to cancel the friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria was influenced by the controversy surrounding Messi’s absence from a previous match, and the subsequent backlash that followed. This incident has not only affected the upcoming match between Argentina and Nigeria, but also raised questions about the potential impact on Argentina’s other friendly against Ivory Coast. However, reports have indicated that the match between Argentina and Nigeria has been rescheduled to take place in the United States of America in March, bringing some hope to soccer fans who were disappointed by the cancellation.
