Arsenal cancel friendly with Nigeria

Arsenal cancelled its first trip to Nigeria and a preseason friendly against the national team set for August 5 in Abuja.

It was to be Arsenal's first trip to Africa in 18 years, but "complexities" caused the trip to put off, Arsenal marketing director Angus Kinnear said in a statement on Thursday.

Kinnear said they plan to visit Nigeria next year.

The announcement came days after an explosion near a popular mall in Abuja. There were no casualties.

However, the incident has heightened security fears in a capital that has been targeted by radical Islamist insurgents in the past.

The Gunners will still tour Asia to play a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 24, English Premier League champion Manchester City in Beijing on July 27 and Kitchee FC in Hong Kong on July 29.