Better Nigerian reception as Harambee Stars land in Calabar

The Kenya national soccer team Harambee Stars has finally landed in Calabar ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier match against their hosts Nigeria. The Kenyan team landed in Lagos on Wednesday but could not get a connecting flight to Calabar instead being forced to spend the night in a substandard hotel in Lagos.

The players were also forced to train in a nearby school as no official from the local federation in Nigeria was in place to receive them or organize a decent training venue.

Football Kenya Federation through Secretary General Michael Esakwa immediately wrote a protest letter to FIFA that led to intervention, “The Nigeria Football Federation was instructed by FIFA Security Officer assigned for the match Mr.Beckles Patrick from Barbados that they have breached the hosting arrangements. After his intervention the team boarded the Chartered flight for the one hour 5 minutes trip from Lagos to Calabar on Thursday afternoon.” Says communication from the FKF.

“We are now settled and we thank FIFA for responding promptly to our protest but we are also amazed by the poor reception earlier by our hosts”, said Hussein Terry the head of delegation.

Upon arrival in Calabar, The Nigeria football authorities were on hand to receive the team and usher them in to the 5 star Channel View hote. They also offered a training ground.