INTERNATIONAL FREINDLY: S’Eagles Arrive in Luxembourg City

By Femi Solaja

Still basking on the euphoria of the lone goal win over Mali last Friday, the Super Eagles have arrived in Luxembourg City ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly against that country’s senior national team.

The delegation left Rouen, at noon yesterday and are now at the Alvisse Parc Hotel, an impressive facility located on Route d’Echternach in Luxembourg City.

There is a great spirit in camp as players and officials look forward to a win against Luxembourg, on the back of the 1-0 defeat of one of Africa’s strongest teams, Mali at the Stade Robert Diochon on Friday.

The team later trained at the Stade Josy Barthel, venue of the clash with the Red Lions.

However, there is quiet indignation about a report in an African football website, which claimed on Saturday that the Super Eagles could not exchange jerseys after Friday’s international friendly with Mali because the players do not have enough and only do ‘wash-and-wear’ of jerseys.

Team administrator Dayo Enebi Achor wondered where such a story emanated from when the Malian players never offered to exchange jerseys with the Super Eagles at the Stade Robert Diochon.

“We have received calls from Nigeria that people are happy about the performance of this young team against Mali. Most people believe that we are on to a good thing with this crop of players but someone is only interested in spewing falsehood to try and embarrass the nation.

“We use new jerseys for every match, and we exchange jerseys when it is necessary. The jerseys belong to the players and they are free to do whatever they want with them after these two matches.”

Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande confirmed that the new jerseys designed for Nigeria will be unveiled at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August, where 1996 champions Nigeria is one of only 16 countries taking part in the men’s football tournament.

Friday’s defeat by Nigeria was only the third loss in 11 matches for Mali in the past 14 months, and the Malians have already qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with two matches to spare.