Organisers of the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament due to start in the Korea Republic next week, at which Nigeria’s U-17 boys were to participate, have been forced to postpone the event as a result of the death of two Koreans within the past three days due to the outbreak of the ‘MERS’ (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic.

Thenff.com can report that nearly 700 people have been isolated as health officials seek to contain the epidemic.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport said on Wednesday that organisers are pained but feel it is the correct decision in the circumstances, in order to protect the participating players and officials of all four countries – Korea Republic, Nigeria, USA and Brazil.

“It is an unfortunate situation for the Korean people and we feel their discomfort at this period. We hope that they will be able to solve the issue quickly,” said Jairo Pachon.

A new date will be chosen for the invitational tournament in the month of August 2015.