Nigeria v Serbia: Matic, Ivanovic in captainship row

Manchester United’s midfielder, Nemanja Matic, has been labelled ‘ringleader’ of a crisis brewing in the Serbian national team in the midst of preparation for today’s international friendly with Nigeria at the Bee Hive Stadium in London.

Shortly before last week’s 1-2 loss to Morocco, Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic removed Branislav Ivanovic as the team’s captain and replaced him with Aleksandr Kolarov without addressing the squad of the motives.

Matic, being a longtime friend with Ivanovic with whom he spent several seasons at Chelsea, does not agree with the decision and players loyal to Kolarov, are being suspicious of the midfielder.

Matic is being accused of posting a photograph of a downcast Ivanovic on his Instagram page to reflect the latter’s displeasure on the change.

He was said to have written: Bane (Branislav Ivanovic) is completely shaken. Players are making fun of the former Serbia captain.”

However, the leggy midfielder denied the post, saying it was an invention from the Serbian press.

As a result, Matic said he would stop addressing the Serbian press for now.

“Because of these lies I have decided to never give statements to the Serbian media.”

However, Matic has pledged to give his best if selected for the game.

”Nigeria offer top test for us. I am thinking of this match, we lost one already, there is a lot to play for now”