Burkina Faso-Nigeria friendly cancelled over UK visas

Seven Burkina Faso players failed to secure UK entry visas, forcing Monday’s football match in London to be cancelled.

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The NFF said the cancellation was 'no fault of either the organisers or the Nigeria Football Federation' [Carl de Souza/AFP]

Burkina Faso’s friendly against Nigeria in London next week has been cancelled because of visa issues affecting travelling players from Burkina Faso, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said.

The NFF said on Sunday that seven Burkina Faso players failed to secure British entry visas, forcing Monday’s football match at Barnet, in North London, to be shelved.

Nigeria were using the match as part of preparations for their remaining qualifiers for the World Cup 2018 and Africa Cup of Nations 2019.

NFF official Chris Green said the cancellation was “no fault of either the organisers or the Nigeria Football Federation”.

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“We will announce further plans for the Super Eagles’ preparation for these two important qualifying campaigns in due course,” he added.

Burkina Faso officials were told of the visa issues late on Friday.

On Thursday, Nigeria drew 1-1 with Senegal in the first of its two scheduled friendly matches in the British capital.

Morocco beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in a friendly in Marrakech on Friday.

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Source: News Agencies