2018 World Cup qualifier: Eagles land in Ndola, eye 3 points

The Nigerian delegation to Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia arrived in Ndola minutes after noon 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 the NFF mnagement, 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 12.07pm Zambia time (11.07am Nigeria time), after a fours hour 20-minutes 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 the ground were NFF Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode and the Head of Protocol, Tunde Aderibigbe, who had left Nigeria on Thursday as advance party of the Nigeria contingent.

FAZ officias hinted thenff.com that football–loving President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is expected to be a 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).