2014 W/Cup Qualifier: Drama, As Super Eagles Arrive Kenya

There was drama aplenty when Nigeria’s Super Eagles arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta airport in the early hours of yesterday.

Kenyan officials who met the team at the airport insisted that the team must take the bus provided for them, and head for the 680 Hotel booked by the FKF which Nigeria’s advance party had turned down.

According to one Kenyan journalist at the airport, the FKF bus was a rickety contraption that looked like it belonged in a scrap yard.

“It was a small, old bus that wouldn’t even contain the players, let alone the entire travelling party.”

For 20 minutes, both sides argued back and forth, with players directed this way and that, until Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi stepped in to act as mediator, explaining to the FKF officials why the Eagles had a right to take their own luxury, air conditioned bus and head for their hotel of choice.

The FKF bus was then used to transport balls and luggage as the Nigerian contingent left without police escort, which only caught up with them along the way.

Meanwhile, an advance party from Nigeria had earlier rejected what they described as an unsuitable hotel booked for the squad by their Kenyan hosts.

Nigeria takes on Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre today in a decisive 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, and the Kenyans reserved the 680 Hotel at the centre of town for the Nigerian contingent.