Bolivia cancels Nigeria friendly; blames it on political Insecurities

Babalola Tomiwa

Bolivia have cancelled their trip to Uyo for the FIFA international friendly game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria blaming it on an unfriendly political situation in the country.

This happened barely 24 hours after the stand-in Super Eagles coach, Daniel Amokachi sent invitations to about 28 players, both in the domestic league and overseas.

The Bolivian Football Federation explained that it had to pull out of the game because it comes just two days after the country's general elections, and they feel normalcy would not have returned by the time the game will be held in Uyo

“The armed conflict in Nigeria has forced the cancellation of the game,” said president of the FBF, Carlos Chavez, in a press conference in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

“That game is not going to be held. Now the FBF seeks to raise a strong defence because Nigerians will protest and request sanctions for non-compliance."

La Razon had earlier reported that the Bolivian FA was engaged in talks on how to withdraw from the friendly "with the intention of avoiding a financial penalty for breach of contract" though a decision has been taken to withdraw.

Chavez is now hoping that there will be no financial implication for breach of contract with Full Play and Fifa match agent Jairo Pachon.

The Nigeria Football Federation had said that the game would go on after the Bolivian head coach, Mauricio Soria, called for the game to be cancelled.

Nigeria will play South Africa on March 29 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Goal