Asafa Powell of Jamaica crosses the line to win the 100 Metres during 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia on March 20, 2006 (Photo by Daniel Peters/ Allsports)

According to media reports, Technical and Performance Director for the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Sunday Bada was quoted as saying he was in discussion with both managers to bring the sprinters to Abuja on May 6, but Renaldo Nehemiah, Gatlin's manager and Powell's coach Stephen Francis, confirmed the clash reports as rumors.

"This story is false," Nehemiah told Track Profile Report. "I've never spoken to anyone about this. "I didn't even know about a GP race in Nigeria. This is clearly false advertising. And a way to mislead the public," he added.

With this being said it meant that Powell would battle with Nigerian stars Deji Aliu, Uchenna Emedolu and Olusoji Fasuba for the victory. However, when Caribbean Net News contacted Francis he said Powell too will not parade in Nigeria.

"Asafa will not be racing in Nigeria," he told Caribbean Net News in an email on Wednesday. "He will be in Kingston on that day."

After setting a stunning world record mark of 9.77 seconds in Athens last summer, Powell suffered a groin injury at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix in July and had to pull out of the world championships, which saw Gatlin winning the sprint double in style.

The last meeting between the two sprinters was last June at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. However, despite both being credited with a wind-aided 9.84 performance, Gatlin was given the nod after Powell slowed down some 5-metres before the finish line.

Their next meeting remains the most anticipated in track and field this season, but when the two will race is not yet certain.

While Powell opened his season in style, winning his first global title in Australia with an effortless 10.03 performance for the men's 100m crown at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Gatlin skipped the indoor season to concentrate on lowering the Jamaican’s world record mark.