Sports
Eagles Grounded By Aircraft Trouble
Nigeria’s contingent failed to leave as scheduled for South Africa on Monday night after their chartered aircraft developed a technical fault just before takeoff.
The delegation, led by Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi was booked on a Luz Air chartered plane, but the pilot discovered a malfunction, just prior to takeoff.
“We were at the airport and all checked in when the pilot reported that he had noticed a red light on his controls,” Media Officer Idah Peterside told Tidesports source.
“He said he was not sure what the exact problem was, and could not risk the lives of the squad and so he opted to ground the flight while the engineers tried to establish what the problem is.”
The NFF were forced to make alternative hotel accommodation at the Radisson, close to the airport.
“The NFF are making alternative arrangements for us to fly on a different airline.”
However, Idah explained that if Luz Air were to provide a different aircraft, the Nigeria contingent would fly.