Ethiopia were far from being good hosts to the African champions, who arrived in the East African country on the eve of their key clash, which went down at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa and the NFF have thus reported the matter to appropriate authorities with the belief that decisive action will be taken
Telegraph also gathered that aside from reporting to FIFA security team, the Ethiopian Police were also intimated with the ordeal of the Nigerian delegation by Eagles CSO, ACP Baba Abubakar.
Despite not enduring hostilities from Ethiopia, the NFF, on their part, have promised to tow a different line as they plan to give the Wayla Antelopes – as well as the entire delegation from Ethiopia coming for the final leg on November 16, 2013 - the best of Nigerian hospitality.
The return leg match will take place at the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar, where the Eagles hope to complete the task of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup after holding a healthy 2-1 advantage from the first leg away from home.
Irate Ethiopian fans, who pelted the Super Eagles bus as they drove away from the National Stadium in Addis Ababa injured Real Betis of Spain midfielder Nosa Igiebor.
Ben Alaiya
According to Ben Alaiya, the Eagles Media Officer, Igiebor suffered a bruise and was bleeding profusely before being promptly attended to by the Eagles team doctor.
“When the Nigerian team was returning to its Saro Maria hotel abode after the game, some fans laid ambush and started hauling stones at the team’s bus. Alaiya began in a press statement made available to Telegraph. He continued, “One of the heavy stones shattered the rear windscreen of the bus, sending all inside the bus scampering for safety.
“With all taking cover, Real Betis star, Nosa Igiebor was the unlucky one as the stone slashed his right palm leading to profuse bleeding that was immediately attended to by team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran.”
The Eagles ordeal started since they arrived in Addis Ababa as they were given a bus infested with cockroaches but the team took it in its stride.
When it was time for training, the police team attached to the team reportedly took routes that are traffic-jammed, yet the team refused to be intimidated.
Matters came to a head on match day, when all manner of soft drink bottles were hauled at Nigerian players and supporters, when the Ethiopians thought that they had scored an opener in the first half. Television replays later showed that Godfrey Oboabona cleared the ball off the line.
Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi says the team will play as if it had not played a first leg encounter when the team clashes with Ethiopia on November 16, in the Canaan City of Calabar, Cross River state.
Speaking after his side’s 2-1 win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa over the weekend, Keshi said he was not disappointed by the gritty display of the host and praised the resilience of his players in rebuffing them.
“The Ethiopians were very good and tactical and that shows how good their coach is, but we were the more experienced side and it showed at the end of the day.”
The coach said the impact of the Eagles’ second half substitutes was massive as it had immediate impact on the match and eventually gave the team the upper hand.
In a similar vein, Bolton White Apartments where the team has been quartering through its qualifiers and even before its Nations Cup win at SA 2013 has sent a heart-warming congratulations to the Super Eagles even as it urged the team to finish up the job in Calabar on November 16.
General Manager of the apartment, John Essien said in a letter to Keshi dated October 14, 2013, that following the victory in Addis Ababa, its hotel can now be aptly dubbed “Champions Camp Hotel”, while Calabar should conveniently answer the “Winning City”
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