Four nations tournament involving Super Eagles now in doubt as a result of Middle East tensions

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles' participation in a friendly four nation tournament due to take place later this month is now in doubt as a result of rising political tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of all-out war.

Yesterday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni was killed in a joint air raid carried out by Israeli and US forces. In a swift response, eight people have been killed in a strike in central Israel as Iran vowed to step-up its retaliation, creating the prospect of an all-out Middle East war.

Later this month, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has arranged for the Super Eagles to play in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman, Jordan, during Fifa's international window. This tournament will involve the national teams of Jordan, Iran and Costa Rica and will take place at the same time as the World Cup play-offs.

Nigeria's Super Eagles will report to camp on March 24 and then travel to Amman for the invitational tournament in Jordan. They are scheduled to face Iran on March 27 before taking on hosts Jordan four days later at the Amman International Stadium and then Costa Rica in their final game.

However, the prospect of a Middle East war looming, there is a possibility that the tournament may be cancelled. Already, Iran has warned that it may pull out of this year's World Cup, as its three games are all scheduled to take place in the US and if military action is stepped up in the region, all flights might be affected.

Also, the presence of Iran at the competition has also been questioned as the security of their players can cannot be guaranteed. Iran has hit back at US and Israeli assets in Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Saudi Arabia to further compromise security in the Middle East.