The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said on Wednesday in Abuja all was set regarding Saturday’s 2014 World Cup Qualifying match involving the Super Eagles and The Flames of Malawi.
NFA chairman, Aminu Maigari, told newsmen while speaking on the match that every logistic concerning the match had been put in place.
The Super Eagles take on the Flames in a Second Round Group F encounter at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The match is the last group match before the final qualifying round, with the Super Eagles leading the group with nine points.
The Nigerian side only needs a draw from the game to qualify for the final round, while the Flames need to secure a win to advance.
Maigari said Calabar was a safe place for the encounter with the level of security the NFA had put on ground for the game.
“Calabar is a safe ground where several decisive matches have been played and I can assure you that there is a powerful team of securitymen on ground.
“Now, we are ready to receive our Malawian counterparts and also ready to ensure that there is a hitch-free match,” he said.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) had in August requested from FIFA a change of venue for the World Cup qualifier for security reasons.
But the NFA, following a directive from FIFA, sent a detailed security plan for the match, giving security assurances.
Maigari noted that securing the 2014 World Cup ticket was his biggest dream and expectation.
“The 2014 World Cup ticket is my biggest dream and expectation day in day out, and I am sure it is the wish of the other management staff of the NFA that we secure this ticket.
“This is why we have been working hand in hand with the federal government to earn the ticket and we are sure we will achieve it,’’ he said.
The NFA chairman however pleaded with Nigerians to support the team with prayers and also give them moral support for the realisation of their dream.
“I thank Nigerians for their support. But, this time around, we need more of their prayers to achieve what we have set out to do.
“I also want to appreciate Liyel Imoke, the Governor of Cross River, for supporting our teams, especially the Super Eagles, and for bringing our campaign to this level,’’ he said.
In his remarks, NFA’s General Secretary, Musa Amadu, disclosed that the advance party of the FAM for the match was impressed with the security arrangement put in place.
“Two members of the FAM, the General Secretary and the Chief Accountant, arrived in Nigeria on Monday and were at the NFA Secretariat before proceeding to Calabar.
“And I can disclose that when they arrived in Calabar, they were impressed with the security arrangement put on ground. So, there is no cause for any agitation,’’ he said.
