Uncertainty has shrouded Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header clashes against Guinea Bissau after PUNCH Sports Extra learnt that the Confederation of African Football may consider postponing the game and other qualifiers.
The second phase of the AFCON qualifiers was originally scheduled for September, but it could suffer a postponement with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar holding for the first time in the latter part of the year, between November and December.
Our correspondent gathered that the September qualifiers may be shifted due to the World Cup, as some African countries who qualified for the biggest football showpiece requested for more time to prepare for the Mundial.
Earlier this month, CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, stated that the 34th edition of the African football fiesta had been postponed to 2024, citing weather conditions as the reason for the change in date.
Should the game between the Super Eagles and Djurtus be postponed, the Nigeria Football Federation might be forced into getting other opponents for the team during the international window.
The three-time African champions currently sit top of their qualifying group after defeating Sierra Leone in Abuja and annihilating Sao Tome and Principe in a record 10-0 win in Morocco.
A victory against Guinea Bissau could seal Nigeria’s qualification from Group A.
Jose Peseiro’s men will hope to pick up the AFCON ticket to atone for their AFCON round of 16 elimination to Tunisia in Cameroon earlier this and their World Cup miss in the hands of Ghana.
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