The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has sent a protest
letter to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, after Gabonese
authorities barred the Nigerian U-17 National Team from entering Gabon
apparently over Ebola fears.
letter to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, after Gabonese
authorities barred the Nigerian U-17 National Team from entering Gabon
apparently over Ebola fears.
The incident occurred Friday in Lome, Togo, as Nigerian
players and officials were asked to disembark from a Libreville – bound ASKY
Airline flight.
players and officials were asked to disembark from a Libreville – bound ASKY
Airline flight.
Having flown from their base in Calabar to Lagos, and travelled
by road from Lagos to Cotonou as a result of the cancellation of all Gabon –
bound flights from Lagos, members of the team were issued boarding passes on
the ASKY Airline flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome, only to be told
the trip be suspended.
by road from Lagos to Cotonou as a result of the cancellation of all Gabon –
bound flights from Lagos, members of the team were issued boarding passes on
the ASKY Airline flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome, only to be told
the trip be suspended.
The team had 18 players and six officials, led by NFF Chief
Technical Officer, Siji Lagunju, an ex – international player.
Technical Officer, Siji Lagunju, an ex – international player.
Members of the team said they shocked when the airline
informed them that Gabonese authorities had instructed that they be leave the
aircraft and their luggage offloaded.
informed them that Gabonese authorities had instructed that they be leave the
aircraft and their luggage offloaded.
In a protest letter signed by NFF General Secretary, Musa
Amadu, the NFF said “On getting to Lome, our delegation members were
disembarked and their luggage brought out of the aircraft, and told that they
would no longer be flown to Libreville, on the orders of Gabonese Authorities.
Amadu, the NFF said “On getting to Lome, our delegation members were
disembarked and their luggage brought out of the aircraft, and told that they
would no longer be flown to Libreville, on the orders of Gabonese Authorities.
“We strongly protest this harsh, unkind and unfair treatment
of players below the age of 17, who have had to go through this arduous and
tiring journey only to further their career in football.
of players below the age of 17, who have had to go through this arduous and
tiring journey only to further their career in football.
“We are very much aware that the Confederation of African
Football (CAF) has stated clearly that football matches should not take place
in only three countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as a result
of the Ebola Virus Disease pandemic.
Football (CAF) has stated clearly that football matches should not take place
in only three countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as a result
of the Ebola Virus Disease pandemic.
“Our players have taken serious precautions and even have
Ebola –free Medical Certificates,” the letter said.
Ebola –free Medical Certificates,” the letter said.
The Nigeria Football Federation expressed disappointment at
the attitude of the Gabonese authorities and urged CAF to probe the matter.
the attitude of the Gabonese authorities and urged CAF to probe the matter.
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