A proposed friendly later this month against African champions Egypt to celebrate the re-election of Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has been called off, officials have said.

The high profile friendly between the Super Eagles and Argentina on June 1 will now therefore be used to mark Jonathan’s return to office.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE•••Lukman Haruna of Nigeria chases Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B match at Ellis Park Stadium on June 12, 2010

MTNFootball.com scooped that the inauguration match was put off after Egypt turned down a chance to tackle the Eagles in an inauguration match on May 28 in Abuja.

“Egypt rejected our proposal and now the government has settled on using the Argentina match in Abuja to celebrate the President’s re-election,” a top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official disclosed

“The match sponsors are very much aware of the added significance the game has now taken.”

The organisers of the Argentina friendly have assured the South American giants will parade a full-strength squad complete with World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi.

Nigeria and Argentina have clashed thrice at the World Cup with the South Americans winning all the games in 1994, 2002 and 2010.

Two-time world champions Argentina are using this match to prepare for the Copa America, which they will stage in the summer. It will also prepare the Eagles for a crucial 2012 Nations Cup qualifier away in Ethiopia on June 4.