Sports
Russia 2018 Qualifier: Eagles storm Swaziland Thursday
In from Nifemi Daniel . . .
The Nigeria Football Federation has concluded plans that the Super Eagles will leave the country for Swaziland, venue of Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup second round, first leg qualifier against the Sihlangu, on Thursday.
According to a statement from the NFF on Tuesday, the team is expected to depart for Swaziland via a chartered flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by 7am on Thursday, and is expected to touch down at the Matsapha International Airport by 2pm same day.
Similarly, the Swaziland confirmed to the NFF on Tuesday that landing permit for the chartered flight has been secured as the Eagles will stay at the Sun Hotels.
Also the official training session at the Somhlolo National Stadium, in Lobamba, venue of Friday’s World Cup qualifier, has been set for 7pm on Thursday.
Read also: Buhari to host Eaglets, reward 1985 team
The match between the Super Eagles and the Sihlangu will kick off by 7pm on Friday, with Germain Koole of Benin Republic as the centre referee. He will be assisted by his countrymen, Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon.
Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will be the referee assessor with Zambian Joseph Nkole as match commissioner.
The Nigeria delegation will depart Swaziland immediately after the match and fly direct to Port Harcourt venue of the return leg fixture scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, with the winner at the end of the two-legged fixture progressing to the 20-team mini-league phase of the qualifiers.
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