Nigeria’s Super Eagles arrived in Bloemfontein, South Africa on Sunday evening as they prepare to face off against the Bafana Bafana in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, September 9.
The Super Eagles received a warm welcome to Bloemfontein, South Africa, from a delegation led by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Tope Ajayi, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Adeboye.
The chartered ValueJet aircraft carrying the Nigerian team and its delegation landed at Bloemfontein Airport at 6:25 pm local time.
The three-and-a-half-hour flight originated from Luanda, Angola, where the plane had refueled after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Uyo, Nigeria.
The welcoming party included officials from the Nigerian Mission and the National Sports Commission, along with a vibrant crowd of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Dressed in traditional attire, they celebrated the team’s arrival with dancing, singing, and drumming.
Key members of the Nigerian delegation included:Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary and former Super Eagles captains – Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba.
The Super Eagles squad consisted of 22 players and their technical and administrative staff.
Persecondnews reported that the only player absent from the invited group was forward Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital.
The Super Eagles are expected to have their official training at the Toyota Stadium by 6pm on Monday, September 8 (5pm Nigeria time).
Persecondnews reported that South African aviation authorities were allegedly purposefully holding up a landing permit for the Super Eagles.
According to a reliable source at the Nigerian Football Federation, who spoke to Persecondnews on Saturday night, “We are supposed to travel to South Africa tomorrow morning, but as of now, we are still struggling to get a landing permit from the South African authorities.”
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