Burrell

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and its Nigerian counterparts are said to be in an advanced stage of negotiations for a friendly international between both national teams.

"We are in advanced planning stage for a game between ourselves and Nigeria for London on the 11th of February," JFF president Captain Horace Burrell told The Gleaner yesterday from New York, where he is attending a CONCACAF meeting.

He added: "Hopefully, this will be confirmed in a matter of days."

Burrell said they would be seeking a friendly international on all available FIFA dates.

"We hope to play friendly internationals on all the available FIFA dates during the year, because this is the only way we would be able to keep our ranking position, which is a requirement for our youngsters to be eligible for contracts in England," explained Burrell.

In the FIFA rankings released yesterday, Jamaica, the No.1 team in the Caribbean, dipped one place to 66th, seven positions ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, who gained two places to be 73rd.

"Our aim is to keep below the required 70th (position), which is the requirement for two years for our players to get contracts in England," added Burrell, who is also the senior vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

"So, we are looking at all the other dates and we are in discussions with our counterparts from various parts of the world - South America, Africa and Europe - for games," explained Burrell, an executive member of CONCACAF.

Apart from February 11, March 28-April 1, June 6-10, August 12, September 5-9, October 10-14, November 14-18 are also FIFA dates.

Asked if any matches were being considered for the National Stadium, Burrell said, after a poor turnout for the Digicel Caribbean Cup, it was under careful consideration.

"We will continue to look at the situation as the Digicel Cup was really a disaster as far as attendance was concerned. But when you look at how well our spectators supported the World Cup campaign, you have to be encouraged," he stated.

"I am also aware of the appetite of our Jamaican spectators. They don't want to see lowly placed teams play at 'The Office' ... and therefore, we have to be cognisant of the teams we select to play here."

Final round booked

In reference to the Under-20 team, which booked their place in the final round of the CONCACAF Youth World Cup qualifying tournament, Burrell expressed satisfaction.

He said, however, they faced a financial hurdle in order to get the team ready as they challenge for a place in the Youth World Cup, but they would do whatever it took to give the team he referred to as "talented", the best possible chance.

"We will use our influence to try and garner as much support to sustain the programme," he added.