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Nigeria Football Association, (NFA) have approved the participation of the Super Eagles in the Tinapa soccer fiesta billed to host two Premiership clubs, Manchester United and Portsmouth in Nigeria.
Nigeria Football Association, (NFA) have approved the participation of the Super Eagles in the Tinapa soccer fiesta billed to host two Premiership clubs, Manchester United and Portsmouth in Nigeria.
According to the organisers, the Eagles and one clubside to be selected by fans from the 20 Nigerian Premier League clubs would make up the 3rd and 4th teams for the fiesta.
Other entertainment events, charity events, training session for kids and programmes will also be taking place during the fiesta which shall include an exhibition of the trophies recently won by the English teams - The European Cup, the English Premier League and the FA Cup.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Director of Tinapa Business Resort, Bassey Ndem said both English clubs have expressed their willingness to take part in the fiesta.
'The fiesta is an annual event and we are planning to involve other sports in the subsequent event. We don't want to make it only soccer event,"he said.
Manchester United will play Portsmouth in Nigeria next month before their Community Shield clash at Wembley in August.
The date and location for the exhibition match between the Premier League champion and FA Cup winner has yet to be determined, but it will be at the end of the Tinapa Business Resorts soccer tournament.
Sir Alex Ferguson's United side, which also won the Champions League, are due in South Africa in July for the Vodacom Challenge tournament.
"Sir Alex and the team are always keen to visit new places," United chief executive David Gill said. "This match will give an opportunity for our many fans in Nigeria to see the team in the flesh and provide a climax to our summer tour."
Gill said the match was not designed to help revive the Premier League's doomed plan to play an extra round of matches overseas.
"It is not the 39th game by stealth, don't worry about that," Gill said. "Exhibition games overseas can help Manchester United but also the Premier League in terms of making sure it is at the forefront of those fans' minds when it comes to selling it."
The Community Shield is the traditional curtain raiser for the English season between the league and FA Cup winners.