…Calabar Ready For D-Day

The Cross River State Government said in Abuja yesterday that it had concluded plans to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Malawi.
Our correspondent reports that the Super Eagles are scheduled to play with the Brave Warriors of Malawi in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the U.J. Esuene stadium in Calabar on September 7.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Patrick Ugbe,  told newsmen in Abuja that the reception of the Eagles would not be different from the previous ones.
‘’Cross River is very ready to host the match. The reception of the Eagles won’t be different from what we used to do.
‘’When they arrive, you will see the traditional Cross River State hospitality at play. We will be there to receive the teams and we will make them very comfortable in Calabar,’’ Ugbe said.
The commissioner described as ‘’unfortunate’’ the petition by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) which portrayed Calabar as unsafe for the match.
‘’I am sure that by now you know it is not an issue anymore because FIFA has ruled against that petition. It was just a mischievous attempt to unsettle the Nigerian team.
‘’I was disappointed when I heard the report because that is not the spirit of sportsmanship.
‘’You cannot find European countries complaining about where they are going to play a match and ask FIFA to shift the venue; the team must go there to play the match.
‘’It is only in Africa such things happen; it is unfortunate and disappointing,’’ Ugbe added.
He, however, dismissed the fear that the Super Eagles would soon abandon the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar following the completion of renovation work at the National Stadium, Abuja.
According to Ugbe, ‘’we don’t think that the renovation of the National Stadium, Abuja, will affect the Super Eagles matches at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
‘’It is left for the national team to decide where they want to play their matches and where is more favourable to it.
‘’Calabar and Cross River are known all over the world because that is the home of the national team of Nigeria for now; you cannot buy that.
‘’That is how popular Wembley Stadium in London is and that is how popular the Maracana Stadium in Brazil is.’’
FIFA had dismissed the petition of FAM to move the September 7 match between Nigeria and Malawi from Calabar to somewhere safer after the NFA gave FIFA security guarantee.