WASHINGTON -- Canada has replaced Nigeria as the opponent for the U.S. women's soccer team Saturday at RFK Stadium because the Africans couldn't obtain visas in time.
"We gave Nigeria every opportunity to process their paperwork with the U.S. consulate in Lagos," U.S. Soccer Federation secretary general Dan Flynn said Wednesday. "They've had more than six weeks to make the proper travel arrangements since we first announced the match in early March."
The visa problems also caused Nigeria to cancel two games against Canada scheduled for last week in South Carolina.
The United States had scheduled Nigeria as part of the warmup for the Women's World Cup, to be played in China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 11.
"It's a little disappointing not to be able to play Nigeria because somehow they always find our way into our group at the World Cup," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said.
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