Nigerian camp in total chaos
NIGERIANS have been comically sensitive to media reports over the anarchy afflicting their camp.
FRED KAWEESI
Nations Cup qualifiers
Tomorrow, 4.30pm, SS3/SS8
Uganda v Nigeria
NIGERIANS have been comically sensitive to media reports over the anarchy afflicting their camp.
But the world got evidence to that effect when the Nigerian squad landed at Entebbe without the bulk of its instrumental stars yesterday.
Professional stars Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni refused to jump onto the scheduled flight to Uganda due to a squabble over unpaid match bonuses.
The Super Eagles’ star-studded first team expected to assemble against the Cranes refused to travel to Kampala until their US$3000 (sh5m) winning bonuses for the Kenya friendly had been paid. The Super Eagles beat Kenya’s Harambe Stars 1-0 at Kasarani Stadium last weekend.
The entire team was supposed to leave Nairobi on Thursday morning but only eight home-based arrived in Kampala at 12.30pm yesterday.
Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts, who had also earlier threatened abandoning the team due to delayed salary payment, took side with his players and stayed put until the matter was resolved.
“They had to be paid but an NFA board member, Abubarlar Ladan stunned the players with an order from the government that there would be no allowances and that the bonuses had to be generated from friendly match’s gate takings,†an NFA official, who preferred anonymity told the New Vision.
However, after long-winded debate, the Super Eagles decided to make the Kampala trip and were expected in the country yesterday.
Each Super Eagles player is also expected to pocket US$7000 (sh11m) for a win over Cranes on Saturday.
To the contrary Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba’s side is enjoying a supreme clean bill of match-winning health.
Team captain Ibrahim Sekagya sent a rallying shout after his first session with the team yesterday and said: “We are ready; the nation should count on us.â€
“The only problem I have is jet lag but that should be out of my way by tomorrow.â€
Csaba had his final assesment of the starting team yesterday, with Geoffrey Sserunkuuma particulary impressive.
Cranes line-up:
D.Onyango, R.Malinga, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, I.Sekagya, N.Kasule, D.Wagaluka, A.Bajope, G.Massa,
G.Sseru-
Nkuuma, and D.Obua.
Nations Cup qualifiers
Tomorrow, 4.30pm, SS3/SS8
Uganda v Nigeria
NIGERIANS have been comically sensitive to media reports over the anarchy afflicting their camp.
But the world got evidence to that effect when the Nigerian squad landed at Entebbe without the bulk of its instrumental stars yesterday.
Professional stars Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni refused to jump onto the scheduled flight to Uganda due to a squabble over unpaid match bonuses.
The Super Eagles’ star-studded first team expected to assemble against the Cranes refused to travel to Kampala until their US$3000 (sh5m) winning bonuses for the Kenya friendly had been paid. The Super Eagles beat Kenya’s Harambe Stars 1-0 at Kasarani Stadium last weekend.
The entire team was supposed to leave Nairobi on Thursday morning but only eight home-based arrived in Kampala at 12.30pm yesterday.
Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts, who had also earlier threatened abandoning the team due to delayed salary payment, took side with his players and stayed put until the matter was resolved.
“They had to be paid but an NFA board member, Abubarlar Ladan stunned the players with an order from the government that there would be no allowances and that the bonuses had to be generated from friendly match’s gate takings,†an NFA official, who preferred anonymity told the New Vision.
However, after long-winded debate, the Super Eagles decided to make the Kampala trip and were expected in the country yesterday.
Each Super Eagles player is also expected to pocket US$7000 (sh11m) for a win over Cranes on Saturday.
To the contrary Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba’s side is enjoying a supreme clean bill of match-winning health.
Team captain Ibrahim Sekagya sent a rallying shout after his first session with the team yesterday and said: “We are ready; the nation should count on us.â€
“The only problem I have is jet lag but that should be out of my way by tomorrow.â€
Csaba had his final assesment of the starting team yesterday, with Geoffrey Sserunkuuma particulary impressive.
Cranes line-up:
D.Onyango, R.Malinga, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, I.Sekagya, N.Kasule, D.Wagaluka, A.Bajope, G.Massa,
G.Sseru-
Nkuuma, and D.Obua.