The high-profile friendly between African giants Ghana and Nigeria, set to be played in March, has been cancelled.

The game was called off at the request of the Nigerians, who have chosen Burkina Faso to replace Black Stars in the all important build up in the match meant to prepare Nigeria for the the AFCON 2019 and Russia 2018 qualifiers later this year.

The decision to dump Ghana  for Burkina Faso,was as a result of Black Stars managerial situation. Ghana  have parted ways with Avram Grant with no replacement in sight yet.

” We (Nigeria) will play Senegal then Burkina Faso four days later. The proposed tie with Ghana was called off due to their managerial situation, so we moved quickly to replace them with Burkina Faso," Jairo Pachon, the match agent of the Nigeria Football Federation said.

As it stands now, Eagles will take on the Teranga Lions of Senegal on March 23,before facing Burkina Faso four days later in London with both games schedule to take place at Fulham’s Craven Cottage stadium.

Senegal, who lost in the quarterfinal at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and Burkina Faso who made the semifinals will provide a stern test for Gernot Rohr’s men who failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria are top of Group B of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers with six points from two matches. The Super Eagles will also do battle with South Africa, Libya and Seychelles for a spot at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

By:Fiifi Abdul Malik