20-05-2008, 10:50 AM
PORTSMOUTH have lined up a summer surprise for their FA Cup winners a pre-season trip to Nigeria!
Boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed they will travel to Africa to play a lucrative friendly against Premier League champs Manchester United.
And the high-profile match will be a dress rehearsal for next seasons Community Shield game at Wembley on August 10.
Redknapp said: I havent told the lads yet but were going to Nigeria for our pre-season tour this summer.
Thats a pleasant surprise for them all. If Id told them before the FA Cup final, they might have lost it!
Were going out there to play Manchester United. If its good enough for them, its good enough for us. So well play them in Nigeria and then again at Wembley in August.
It was Nigerian idol Kanu who scored Pompeys 37th-minute Wembley winner on Saturday and the goal was set up by his international team-mate John Utaka.
It means Pompey, who also boast Africans such as Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop and Lauren, can cash in on their popularity in Nigeria.
The friendly with United is likely to be played in late July
Boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed they will travel to Africa to play a lucrative friendly against Premier League champs Manchester United.
And the high-profile match will be a dress rehearsal for next seasons Community Shield game at Wembley on August 10.
Redknapp said: I havent told the lads yet but were going to Nigeria for our pre-season tour this summer.
Thats a pleasant surprise for them all. If Id told them before the FA Cup final, they might have lost it!
Were going out there to play Manchester United. If its good enough for them, its good enough for us. So well play them in Nigeria and then again at Wembley in August.
It was Nigerian idol Kanu who scored Pompeys 37th-minute Wembley winner on Saturday and the goal was set up by his international team-mate John Utaka.
It means Pompey, who also boast Africans such as Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop and Lauren, can cash in on their popularity in Nigeria.
The friendly with United is likely to be played in late July