Black Stars to play Nice

World Cup finalists Ghana have lined up a friendly against French side Nice for May 8, replacing two fixtures they had scheduled against Russian clubs.

The game against the Ligue 1 team replaces two friendly ties against Russian clubs Terek Grozniy and Anji Mahachkala.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said the change was made to facilitate the release of players from their clubs.

Several clubs had refused to allow their players to travel to Russia for the midweek friendlies.

"Clubs are refusing to release our players because Russia is too far," GFA spokesperson Randy Abbey said.

"As it is not an international date for friendlies, we cannot compel them to release the players."

Ghana have been drawn with the Czech Republic, Italy and the United States in Group E at the World Cup, which starts in Germany on 9 June.