7th September, 2012
The Super Eagles have landed safely in Monrovia ahead of the final round of next year’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia on Saturday evening.
Ben Alaiya, Media Officer of the Eagles said the team’s delegation, led by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 5:55am Nigerian time aboard an IRS Chartered flight, and arrived at the Robert International Airport in the Monrovia at about 8:30am Nigerian time on Friday.
“The delegation included 22 players; the technical crew and backroom staff led by Head Coach Stephen Keshi, and were warmly welcomed by the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Chi Nnadozie, who was on her way to Kaduna for the Nigeria Defence Academy graduation ceremony,” Alaiya said.
NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Christopher Green and head international department Bola Oyeyode, were part of the advance team.
Alaiya stated further: “The airport formalities were quite smooth, as Liberians troop our en mass to catch a glimpse of the star-studded Nigerian side, as the team drove for nearly two hours from the airport to their abode at Golden Gate Hotel in the Liberian capital, where the team will stay for Saturday’s encounter.”
According to the media officer, the team’s hotel is just a strolling distance from the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, where the game will be played.
“The players and officials were quite pleased with the accommodation arrangement and after settling down in their rooms, Keshi led the team to the Nigerian Embassy for their breakfast, they returned to the hotel and had lunch at 2:30pm Nigerian time, which is 1:30pm in Liberia.”
Alaiya said the teamare scheduled to train at the match venue at 6pm local time in Monrovia on Friday, which is the same time (5pm in Nigeria) that the game will be played tomorrow.
“Indications also emerged that the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, will lead the supporters of the Lone Star during the game.
“The Nigerians here in Monrovia have also mobilised their compatriots to support the Eagles.
They will join forces with a delegation of supporters club who are already on ground,” Alaiya concluded in a press release.