Mandela Challenge: NFF Battles Spartak over Emenike's Release

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Sunday reacted to the reports from Spartak FC Moscow, on the likely non-availability of Super Eagles returnee, Emmanuel Emenike, for Nigeria's match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational Challenge.

The match comes up on14th of August and it is expected to be Emenike's first match for the national team since his brilliant performance that contributed to the team's triumph at the African Cup of Nations tournament last February in South Africa.

But Sunday in Abuja, the NFF Secretary General,  Musa Amadu, was angry about of the Russian side posture that it will not release CAN 2013 goleador for the Mandela challenge.

“The NFF will not accept any of such claims that it’s not a FIFA free window, and we have made our position known to the club officials," the scribe said last night.

He said that NFF is making efforts that will ensure that all the invited players are available for the encounter from the Nigerian perspective, as the NFF is determined to counter any  move from foreign based clubsides to deny Nigeria the services of the players.

“Don’t forget that the game is also a dress rehearsal for the September World Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi and we can’t afford to let anything to chance,” the NFF Scribe pointed out.

Meanwhile, some of the players who confirmed their availability for the tie have confessed their eagerness to reunite with the rest for the match.

Chelsea of England’s Victor Moses, who missed out due to injury at the last Confederations Cup in Brazil disclosed to the Super Eagles' Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, that he has missed his colleagues in the national team and cannot wait for the Mandale Challenge to reunite with them.

"Moses was the first player to put  a call though to the team to say he will be available for the game and will be among the first player to arrive South Africa for the game," Achor disclosed Sunday.

Also, in consonance with renewed interest by the national team stars for the game, Obinna Nsofor, has been making desperate enquiries about his return to the national team and has also promised to be early for the game in South Africa’s warmest city of Durban.

Other players who have been making concerted enquiries about the friendly so far include power playing Lazio of Italy midfield ace, Ogenyi Onazi, wing wizard Ahmed Musa and slow poison striker Brown Aide Ideye.Arrival for all the players according to the NFF remains, Sunday, August 11 in South Africa for the game scheduled for Wednesday, August 14.