LAGOS. Nigeria. Dec 31: Defending champion Nigeria announ-" ced Saturday it was withdra-

wing from the African Nations Cup in South Africa next month, claiming a security risk for Its players, reports AP.

Relations between the two nations have soured greatly sine South African President

Nelson Mandela led the international condemnation of Nigeria after ita^rtllltary government executed nine human rights activists last month.

No replacement in the 16-nation tournament set lor Jan 13-Feb 3 was immediately announced. Any decision would be made from the African Football Confedera-t on headquartered in Cairo. Egypt.

Nigeria, which reached the second round at the 1994 World C«p. is considered by some to be a contender for the 1998 UUe and was a favourite to successfully defend its African title.

Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sports Jim Nwobodo told a news conference Saturday that the Super Eagles were withdrawing from the meet because South Africa could no' guarantee the safety of Nigerian players.

The players were prepar Ing to leave for Johannesburg on Friday to begin training in South Africa But as the team was checking In at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Nigerian Football .Association ordered them home, saying the Ea gles would take a private Jet on Saturday

Nwdodo told the news conference, which was car tied live on national television. that many sources indicated acts of violence were planned against the Nigerian team