Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles were due in Jordan at the end of March for a four-nation invitational tournament, but that plan is now hanging by a thread, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria’s plan was to face Iran on March 27 at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium, then turn around and play host nation Jordan four days later.
It was meant to be a straightforward preparation exercise while the Eagles wait on FIFA’s verdict over their World Cup qualification protest against DR Congo.
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However, nothing about it is straightforward anymore.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military operation against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hitting targets across the country. Iran hit back hard, firing missiles and drones at countries across the region, including Jordan where the tournament will be held.
Eagles caught in the crossfire
Jordan is not a party to the conflict, but it sits around 2,000 kilometres from Iran and is now in the line of fire given Tehran’s retaliatory strikes in the region.
There is also the question of whether Iran will even travel. Their football federation president recently hinted at a possible World Cup withdrawal following the strikes, and getting a squad across borders in the middle of an active war is far from straightforward.
European clubs that employ the bulk of Nigeria’s players may also push back on releasing them for games in a region under active military threat, an angle the NFF will need to take seriously.
The NFF has not yet made any official statement, but the pressure to act is growing by the hour.
