HOW HIGH COMMISSION INFLUENCED CHANGE OF EAGLES' HOTEL

By NBF NEWS

SUPER EAGLES
Fresh facts have emerged that Nigeria hurriedly changed the camp base of the Super Eagles for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa between June 11 and July 11 because of the alleged disagreement between the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Buba Marwa, and his Consul-General, Okey Emuchay.

Our correspondent learnt that Emuchay, who is based in Johannesburg, played a part in the arrangement that led to the booking of Hampshire Hotel for the Eagles.

Marwa, according to sources, was not comfortable with the involvement of his Consul-General in the arrangement, hence he wrote a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan requesting for a change of the hotel.

Jonathan then sent the Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Bio, to go for an on-the-spot assessment and our correspondent learnt that Marwa's letter influenced the decision of the delegation to change the hotel.

Our source based in South Africa said, 'The whole issue about noise at the hotel is funny. Hampshire Hotel is not different from any other hotel in other parts of the world.

'After the NFF signified its interest through the former coach, Shaibu Amodu, FIFA took over. FIFA would have paid for the hotel in accordance with its management policy.

'The delegation that travelled changed the base because the ambassador wrote a letter to the presidency and not because Hampshire is a bad place.

'Concentration is good for the national team and I hope those in authorities will be patriotic enough to allow those in charge of football do their job.'

The new camp base, Protea Hotel, Richards Bay, is over three hours by road to Durban according to our findings while Hampshire is 45 minutes drive to Durban.

'The logistics of travelling might be a big issue for the Eagles at the World Cup and so the NFF must double its efforts to be ready for the challenges ahead of the country in South Africa. This is not business as usual, the distance means the association must be on its toes all through to ensure a good outing,' the source added.