Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have confirmed that the Super Eagles delegation will fly out of Asaba, Delta State to Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.
Footballlive.ng gathered that the NFF brought forward their initial flight scheduled for the Eagles from Friday, following complaints by the crew and players that they would barely have time to relax before the match.
Although the strategy worked against Libya, when the NFF’s chartered flight from Uyo flew the team direct to Sfax, Tunisia barely 24 hours to kick-off in the second leg away, and the Eagles won 3-2, the players and crew want a different approach this time out.
The argument raised, according to feelers reaching footballlive.ng at the weekend, was that the coaches would love to have at least two training sessions in Johannesburg before the match, once they land on Thursday.
The flight to Jo’Burg, has been scheduled for 5pm on Thursday, which means the Eagles will not train same day in the South African capital, thereby leaving them with a non-official morning session at any field available through the embassy and feel of match venue in the evening.
That might have informed a declaration on Monday morning by Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye who told a radio sports programme in Lagos that the team will go into closed door training on Thursday in Asaba.