The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asserted that the South African delegation has no grounds for complaint after being required to stay overnight in Port Harcourt on Wednesday before flying to Uyo on Thursday morning, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
NFF Protocol Chief Emmanuel Ayanbunmi clarified that the South African Football Association had informed the NFF that their chartered flight would depart South Africa on Wednesday at 8 am, landing in Lagos for immigration procedures before continuing to Uyo.
“The issue was not due to the NFF. They took an additional five hours to depart from South Africa beyond the scheduled time, and we were not notified. We had coordinated with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant agencies in Lagos to expedite their formalities," Ayanbunmi explained.
"It was only two hours before landing that we were informed their landing rights were for Port Harcourt International Airport, not Lagos. We then coordinated with Port Harcourt officials to ensure smooth processing.
“Despite completing immigration procedures, they were unable to fly to Uyo as the Obong Victor Attah Airport operates only from sunrise to sunset. The NFF promptly arranged accommodations for them in Port Harcourt,” he added.
The Bafana Bafana and the officials who finally arrived Uyo this afternoon will play the Super Eagles on Friday by 8pm.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun