Super Eagles Invitee Ifeanyi Matthew Doubtful For Friendly Against Atlético Madrid

Published: May 15, 2018

Promising Lillestrøm SK midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew is doubtful to play for the Nigerian national team when they take on Europa League finalists Atlético de Madrid in a friendly in Uyo on May 22.

As exclusively reported by the website, the Nigerian Federation have called up the top stars in the Nigerian Professional Football League and few foreign-based professionals not listed on the World Cup roster for the friendly against the La Liga team.

The friendly is outside Fifa's window for international matches, so Lillestrom are not obliged to the release the player to the Nigerian Federation, especially as the Tippeligaen is in full swing.

''Ifeanyi Matthew has been invited for the friendly against Atlético Madrid but he is unlikely to make it as the game is outside the Fifa window, '' a Nigerian Federation insider told allnigeriasoccer.com.

''LSK have a game against Brann on Monday, May 21, so there is no way he will be able to travel and join the team until May 22, the date of the friendly.

''The Norwegian League will not go on World Cup break until July.''

In the first half of the 2017-2018 campaign, Matthew was the most fielded defensive midfielder under the age of 21 in the European Leagues.

The former Flying Eagles star has started and gone the distance in every single league game played by the Canaries since September 25, 2016.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : lsk.no