Lagos — Nigeria risks being fined heavily by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, if the players abandon the third place match against Mali in Mopti today.

There were strong indications Friday that the legion of professionals in the team may leave for their bases thereby leaving other players to play the match.

Skipper Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo and others were making frantic efforts to confirm their flights back to their European clubs Friday.

But Team Manager, Barrister Richard Obienu said that the match would not be abandoned as that would negate the fair play spirit of FIFA."We are going to play the third place match.

The only thing is that the spirit in camp is at it s lowest ebb". Sports Vanguard gathered that not even one of the professional players would accompany the team back to Nigeria after they play the insignificant third place match. "I doubt if we can have a full team back to Nigeria. Most of the boys are heading back to their base", source in the team confirmed.(ACONS)