Stranded Nigerian delegation lament delay in getting Chile visas
Defending champions, Nigeria, yesterday proved too much for Brazil in
the first quarterfinals of the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup, beating the
Samba Boys 3-0 yesterday in Vina del Mar, Chile.
the first quarterfinals of the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup, beating the
Samba Boys 3-0 yesterday in Vina del Mar, Chile.
Three goals from Victor Osimhen, his eighth goal in five games, Kingsley
Michael and Udochukwu Anumudu was all the Nigerians needed to cruise
into Thursday semifinals against either Mexico or Ecuador.
Michael and Udochukwu Anumudu was all the Nigerians needed to cruise
into Thursday semifinals against either Mexico or Ecuador.
Brazil had looked bright in the opening stages, but goalkeeper Akpan Udoh
was in fine form to keep them at bay.
However, midway into the first half, the Nigerians took control of the proceedings,
with Osimhen, John Lazarus, Kelechi Nwakali, Funsho Bamgboye and
Chgukwueze running rings round the hapless South Americans.
was in fine form to keep them at bay.
However, midway into the first half, the Nigerians took control of the proceedings,
with Osimhen, John Lazarus, Kelechi Nwakali, Funsho Bamgboye and
Chgukwueze running rings round the hapless South Americans.
Osimhen gave Nigeria the lead when he nodded in a John Lazarus’ cross.
A few minutes later, it was 2-0 courtesy of a Michael goal, while Anumudu
hit a left-footed drive from distance to round off the scoring.
A few minutes later, it was 2-0 courtesy of a Michael goal, while Anumudu
hit a left-footed drive from distance to round off the scoring.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) team to the on-going FIFA
U-17 World Cup is still stranded in Abuja following its inability to get entry visas
to Chile at the South American country’s embassy in Ghana.
U-17 World Cup is still stranded in Abuja following its inability to get entry visas
to Chile at the South American country’s embassy in Ghana.
The Golden Eaglets defeated Brazil 3-0 in one of the quarterfinal games
yesterday without some of the team’s key staff.
yesterday without some of the team’s key staff.
Nigerians are forced to go to Ghana for entry visas to Chile because the country
has no mission in Nigeria. And according to sources at the NFF headquarters in
Abuja, it is not certain when the Nigerian delegation, which was originally
scheduled to leave for Chile before the Golden Eaglets’ first game against the
United States at the on-going U-17 World Cup, will leave for the competition.
has no mission in Nigeria. And according to sources at the NFF headquarters in
Abuja, it is not certain when the Nigerian delegation, which was originally
scheduled to leave for Chile before the Golden Eaglets’ first game against the
United States at the on-going U-17 World Cup, will leave for the competition.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said yesterday, “we have done everything
possible to make the embassy understand the importance of they delegation
being in Chile, but it seems they are not ready to listen to anybody.
possible to make the embassy understand the importance of they delegation
being in Chile, but it seems they are not ready to listen to anybody.
“We were told that they have to get clearance from their country first before
issuing any visas to us and we accepted because we thought it would take a
few days, but here we are still waiting for the documents.
issuing any visas to us and we accepted because we thought it would take a
few days, but here we are still waiting for the documents.
“Our protocol official has been in Ghana for more than two weeks and yet he
has not achieved anything. The worst is that because the embassy is in Ghana,
there is not much we can do to make them act quickly on the visas.”
has not achieved anything. The worst is that because the embassy is in Ghana,
there is not much we can do to make them act quickly on the visas.”
The official, who disclosed that the delegation has submitted all the documents
required by the Chilean mission in Ghana, including criminal clearance
certificates of every member of the delegation, said the NFF has been getting
distress calls from the Nigerian camp in Chile owing to the absence of some key
staff in the team’s camp.
required by the Chilean mission in Ghana, including criminal clearance
certificates of every member of the delegation, said the NFF has been getting
distress calls from the Nigerian camp in Chile owing to the absence of some key
staff in the team’s camp.
“We just hope the government can interfere in the issue to enable us join the
team in Chile. It is important because apart from the clerical staff, we also have
journalists, key technical officials and board members of our federation,
who have crucial roles to play in the Golden Eaglets’ quest to retain the trophy,”
the source added.
team in Chile. It is important because apart from the clerical staff, we also have
journalists, key technical officials and board members of our federation,
who have crucial roles to play in the Golden Eaglets’ quest to retain the trophy,”
the source added.
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