The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released an unreserved apology to players and officials of the Super Falcons, after they were delayed at the airport on their return to Abuja on Thursday.
Officials of the Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) held the ladies for several hours because of COVID-19 test issues, following their arrival at the airport in the early hours of Thursday from the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifying game in Ivory Coast.
The coach of the team, Randy Waldrum said the situation, which followed a two-hour flight, was “very frustrating”.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBut the NFF has absolved itself of any blame, describing the incident as “unfortunate”.
NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said in a statement, “We had our protocol officers on ground at the airport and they did [what was necessary] before the team arrived.
“We are a responsible organisation and the various national teams have been going out and returning to Nigeria since these Covid-19 protocols, procedures and guidelines started.
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has expressed dismay on the unpleasant treatment of the national women senior football team.
The minister in a statement on Thursday described the incident as unfortunate, noting that a complete account of what happened has been received by his office.
He said the Ministry will send its findings to the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that our sports men and women are treated fairly and respectfully.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
