Lagos — Still reeling from the disgraceful 0-1 loss of the Super Eagles to the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone last weekend, Nigeria's World Cup hopes face a fresh threat following the refusal of the Rivers State government to host the Eagles' next qualifying match against Liberia.

PMSports exclusively gathered yesterday that the World Cup match earlier billed to hold 5 May at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt at the instance of the Rivers State government is now a major source of concern for the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) as the Rivers State Government has back-pedalled on its desire to host the Eagles in Port Harcourt.

A source close to the soccer house hinted yesterday that Rivers State's last minute change of mind may not be unconnected with dwindling fortunes of the Super Eagles in the on-going World Cup qualifiers.

The state government, according to our source, feared that it would not be in the interest of the state if the Eagles put up an uninspiring display in the crucial World Cup match against Liberia in Port Harcourt.

Consequently, the NFA is at a loss over the match venue as it is difficult to effect a change of venue at this stage.

FIFA regulations do not allow for a change of match venue two weeks to a world Cup match, except of course a case of force majeure can be established by the host country.

The soccer house is therefore left with no other choice other than to raise the needed funds to prosecute the match.

It would be recalled that the NFA took a loan of N24 million to prosecute the ill-fated World Cup match against Sierra Leone.

Added to this problem is the purported disinterest of some of the key foreign-based players in honouring the 5 May cracker against the Lone Stars for fear of being attacked by angry Nigerian soccer fans who are still incensed by the disgraceful loss suffered by the Super Eagles in Freetown.

The key players, led by Sunday Oliseh, were said to have informed the Technical Adviser, Johannes Bonfrere of their decision to stay away from the all-important match soon after the match in Freetown. The development is giving Bonfrere goose pimples as it appears too late for him to call up replacements.