The Nigerian delegation to Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia arrived in Ndola minutes afternoon on Saturday.
Nigeria’s
Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung led the delegation,
which included NFF President Amaju Pinnick, NFF vice presidents Seyi
Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, some Members of the National Assembly, some
Members of the NFF Executive Committee, some Members of NFF Management
led by Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, few NFF Staff, some
officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, some directors of the
League Management Company, a number of stakeholders and representatives
of the media.
The 148 –seater Arik Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft touched down at the Simon Kawewe International Airport, Ndola at 12.07pmZambia time (11.07am Nigeria time), after a 4-hour-and-20-minute flight from Abuja.
Officials
of the High Commission of Nigeria in Zambia and officials from the
Football Association of Zambia welcomed the delegation, with a dozen
Nigerian youth waving a big banner and miniature Nigerian flags. The
banner read: Welcome to Zambia. Super Eagles of Nigeria. Go Super Eagles
Go.
Also on ground were NFF Director of Competitions Bola Oyeyode and Head of Protocol Tunde Aderibigbe who had left Nigeriaon Thursday as advance party of the Nigeria contingent.
FAZ officias hinted
thenff.com that football –loving President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is expected to be special guest of honour at Sunday’s match.
The
Super Eagles, who are staying at the Protea Hotel Marriott, which is
adjacent to the match venue – Levy Nwanawasa Stadium – are scheduled to
have the official training at 4.30pm.
Sunday’s encounter, the first FIFA World Cup qualifying match at senior level between both countries, will kick off at 2.30pm Zambia time (1.30pm Nigeria time).