Ukraine Were Supposed To Face Egypt Not Nigeria; North Africans Obliged To Include Salah In Squad

The Ukrainian National Team were due to face North African giants Egypt in a friendly and not Nigeria but the Ukrainian Association of Football failed to tie up the loose ends of the deal.

Respected Ukrainian journalist Igor Burbas revealed that Egypt would have been obliged to field Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah if the proposed friendly went ahead.

Egypt have been without a coach since Javier Aguirre resigned after the Pharaohs early exit at the AFCON and Head of the Egyptian Football Association, Hani Abou Rida also resigned.

Writing on Twitter, Igor Burbas said : ''Egypt was supposed to be in place of Nigeria in the Dnipro. The UAF had an agreement with the Federation there. The contract provided for Salah’s arrival.

''There were not enough paper signatures. The Egyptians postponed it because of their participation in the AFCON. And then an early departure from the tournament, the resignation of the coach, president . End of story''.

The Ukraine vs Nigeria friendly will begin at 2130 hours local time which is 1930 hours in Nigeria.

Igho Kingsley