Mandela Challenge: Nigeria, Spartak Fight Over Emenike

Nigeria have asked Spartak Moscow to release Emmanuel Emenike for an 14 August friendly in South Africa even though it is not a FIFA-free day.

“The NFF will not accept any of such claims that it’s not a FIFA free window, because it is and as I speak with you the NFF secretary has also made his position known to Spartak,” team sources declared.

Meanwhile, there are Indications that all invited players for the friendly against South Africa in honour of Africa’s foremost nationalist, Nelson Mandela, will be available for the encounter as the NFF are determined to counter any move from foreign clubs to deny Nigeria the services of the players.

“Don’t forget that the game is also a dress rehearsal for the September World Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi and we can’t afford to let anything to chance,” said NFF general secretary Musa Amadu.

The build-up to the August 14 Mandela Challenge prestige clash between the Super Eagles and  Bafana Bafana has started to reach the real actors of the game, with Chelsea star Victor Moses declaring that he has missed his colleagues in the national team and cannot wait for the Mandela Challenge to reunite with them.

Super Eagles official Dayo Enebi Achor disclosed that Moses was the first player to put a call through to the team to say he will be available for the game and will be among the first players to arrive South Africa for the game.

In consonance with renewed interest by the national team stars for the game, Obinna Nsofor, has been making desperate enquiries about his return to the national team and has also promised to be early for the game in South Africa’s warmest city of Durban.

Other players who have been making concerted enquiries about the friendly so far include power-playing Lazio midfield ace Ogenyi Onazi, wing wizard Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye.

Arrival for all the players according to the NFF remains Sunday, August 11 in South Africa for the game scheduled for Wednesday, August 14.