The Super Eagles and the Nigerian delegation to the World Cup qualifier match in Addis Ababa returned to Nigeria at about 4:30am today with tales of ill-treatment by Ethiopian fans in their 2-1 win over the Ethiopian national team on Sunday.
It would be recalled that upon arrival, the Eagles were given a bus infested with cockroaches but the team took it in its stride. Similarly, when it was time for training, the police team attached to the team deliberately took routes that were traffic-jammed, yet the team refused to be intimidated.
Matters came to a head on match day, when soft drink bottles were hauled at Nigerian players and supporters, when the Ethiopians thought that they had scored an opener in the first half. Television replays later showed that Godfrey Oboabona had cleared the ball off the line.
And then, following the match as the Nigerian team was returning to its Saro Maria hotel, some fans laid ambush and started hauling stones at the bus. One of the heavy stones shattered the rear windscreen of the bus, sending all inside the bus scampering for safety. In the commotion, Real Betis star, Nosa Igiebor, had his right palm slashed by broken glass, leading to profuse bleeding that was immediately attended to by team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran.
NFF Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, said the matter has been reported to the FIFA Security team at the match venue and he hopes action will be taken. The Ethiopian Police was also intimated with the ordeal of the Nigerian delegation by Eagles CSO, ACP Baba Abubakar.
Despite the hostility, the NFF has promised that it will give the Ethiopians the best of hospitality when they come to Nigeria in November for the return leg.
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What do these Ethiopians want to go and do at the world cup if they qualify? Is it not to go and bring shame?
ReplyDeleteI know it is bad to retaliate. But is this not the reason that our African brothers take us for granted. Even in other areas we fail to act in a manner that will make other African nations think twice before they step on our toes. Bakasi for instance, and other places where precious Nigerian blood is being spilled for no just reasons. I think its time to stop being pleasant and really show some bad attitude.
ReplyDeleteWe will surely show them d stuff we are made of whn they come here. They will cry like little babes.
ReplyDeleteYou see, we call ourself's the father of africa. Then we should act like one. Retaliating should never be an action. We do have authorities that are the ruling body. The best route will be to lay a constructive complaint against the Etiopians abd go fron there. Show maturity and wisdon. Nigerians,should lay precedent. Thanks.
DeleteNigeria should respect them,when they come to Nigeria
ReplyDeleteWoe to him that exchange peace for violence! Nigeria as nation is know for peace despite the distraction out there. Let us embrace them with peace Ethiopia is a small Country with a myopic view we must not be blind like them too. Great Nigerians, Great people we are more than that let give our Eagles more support as they come.
ReplyDeletePoor sportsmanship at its finest!
ReplyDeleteOº°˚˚°ÂºÑ’ M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ God, am S̶̲̥̅Æ ̴̴̴͡ excited with what most of U̶̲̥̅̊ said here, lets not pay evil with evil. Pls M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ fellow nigerians lets not pay them with what they did †☺ us. Shallom
ReplyDelete