[Drew9]

04/06/2008 12:00, Report by Nick CoppackReds announce Nigeria stopManchester United will play Portsmouth in a pre-season exhibition match in Nigeria in July.

At a press conference at Old Trafford today, chief executive David Gill confirmed the game against the FA Cup winners will be added to United's existing commitments in Africa.

The Reds are heading to South Africa for three games against Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates between 19 July and 26 July and will now play in Abuja, Nigeria shortly afterwards, en route back to England.

"Research has shown Nigeria is home to our fourth largest fan base - some 13million supporters - so this is an opportunity for us to say thank you to those fans," said David Gill.

"We're looking forward to a carnival atmosphere when we play in Nigeria."

Of course, the Reds are also due to face Portsmouth at Wembley in the Community Shield on Sunday 10 August.

"We didn't plan it to be a dress rehearsal for the Community Shield," Gill laughed, "but it's a nice coincidence.

"We'll take a strong squad. All the English players will be there - people like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves, for instance.

"Those players who are involved in and do well at the European Championships won't make the trip [to South Africa or Nigeria]."

 

[Red Devil]

moved

 

[reddwarf]

There'll be interest in Pompey too in Nigeria with Kanu and Utaka in their side.

I'll look forward to watching it on MUTV.

 

[Stephen]

Fantastic.

 

[marty davidson]

Reds announce Nigeria stop

Manchester United will play Portsmouth in a pre-season exhibition match in Nigeria in July.

At a press conference at Old Trafford today, chief executive David Gill confirmed the game against the FA Cup winners will be added to United's existing commitments in Africa. The date and venue will be confirmed at a later date, although the match will be played in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

The Reds are heading to South Africa for three games against Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates between 19 July and 26 July and will now play in Nigeria shortly afterwards, en route back to England.

"Our own research has shown Nigeria is home to our fourth largest fan base – some 13.6million supporters – so this is an opportunity for us to say thank you to those fans," said David Gill.

"We're looking forward to a real carnival atmosphere when we play in Nigeria.

"In January we had a game in Saudi Arabia, which went very well. Now this will be our first visit to Nigeria and a chance for the fans to see their heroes in the flesh."

Of course, the Reds are also due to face Portsmouth at Wembley in the Community Shield on Sunday 10 August.

"We didn't plan it to be a dress rehearsal for the Community Shield," Gill said. "That's purely coincidental.

"We'll take a strong squad. All the English players will be there - people like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves, for instance.

hose players who are involved in and do well at the European Championships won't make the trip [to South Africa or Nigeria]."

The visit, although fleeting, will last longer than just the 90 minutes of football.

"I think we'll be there for a couple of days," Gill said. "We want to be there long enough to play the game, participate in some activities and see a bit of the country."

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6610910

 

[jd_united]

I certainly wasn't expecting this. What are the odd's we get Pompy first game of the season now as well

At least it will be a decent warm up game and will show how the new signings get on against Premiership opposition, that is if we make any significant buys this year.

 

[antdevil78]

what a pointless fixture. two english teams playing in nigeria.

money talks.

United are touring s.africa anyway. Anyone remember good old days playing Irish teams in the Pre-season friendlies.

Now its all bout increasing exposure and fan base

 

[Red Devil]

what a pointless fixture. two english teams playing in nigeria.

money talks.

United are touring s.africa anyway. Anyone remember good old days playing Irish teams in the Pre-season friendlies.

Now its all bout increasing exposure and fan base

"money, money, money - must be funny, in a rich mans world!"

 

[hafiz_shukri00391]

Nice.......Good............I Feel Good

 

[Jay007]

This is so pointless imo.

Teams from the same League shouldn't play each other in pre-season. You meant to play teams from lower leagues or abroad, not the same teams your playing in the League. Thats what the Leagues for

To make it worse, its the team we're playing in the Charity Shield, which means we'll be playing them at least 4 times, possibly 7 times if we get drawn against them in the League Cup, FA Cup and the FA Cup game goes to a replay.

Stupid fixture.

 

[marjoj]

Fantastic.

 

[Jazz 16]

I heard there are some 13 million United 'fans' in Nigeria and that it comes
to a near standstill when United are playing.
Its the 4th biggest market in the World for United to tap into......

Some some small facts I thought I'd share

 

[Zense_United]

lets see united beat them to death!

 

[Jay007]

I heard there are some 13 million United 'fans' in Nigeria and that it comes
to a near standstill when United are playing.
Its the 4th biggest market in the World for United to tap into......

Some some small facts I thought I'd share

Thanks for that.

I knew there was a big following in Nigeria, but didn't know quite what the figures were.

But I think it would be better if we played a local team.

 

[jd_united]

I certainly wasn't expecting this. What are the odd's we get Pompy first game of the season now as well
QUOTE]

Well I was only one game off

We will now be playing Portsmouth three times in about a month. I expect us not to play our strongest team in Nigeria but we will have to play some top names such as Rooney to keep the 'fans' over there happy. The community shield I can see us putting out the strongest side possible, and likewise for the Premiership fixture.
Playing a side three times in such a short space of time is difficult and if we are to make a slip up against them, let's hope its in Nigeria.

 

[Jay007]

I certainly wasn't expecting this. What are the odd's we get Pompy first game of the season now as well


Well I was only one game off

We will now be playing Portsmouth three times in about a month. I expect us not to play our strongest team in Nigeria but we will have to play some top names such as Rooney to keep the 'fans' over there happy. The community shield I can see us putting out the strongest side possible, and likewise for the Premiership fixture.
Playing a side three times in such a short space of time is difficult and if we are to make a slip up against them, let's hope its in Nigeria.

Can I ask why you put ' ' around fans? ('fans')

 

[jd_united]

Can I ask why you put ' ' around fans? ('fans')

Just because of some of the stories I have heard. I'm sure there are plenty of fans over there that put a lot of time, money and effort into United and if they do that then fair play to them. But I've also heard there are a lot of people over there that are the ones that just buy the shirt, watch the big match highlights, know not a lot about the club and call themselves fans.

It might have been a bit unfair of me to put them all together in the same bracket because they probably aren't all the same as eachother.