The U-23 National Team delegation has arrived in The Gambia for a 10 –day training program ahead of the 2nd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations taking place in Senegal escaped plane crash in Accra.

It was  learnt that the ARIK Air aircraft conveying the team from Lagos lost a tyre on landing at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra.

The airplane that was on ground in Accra was then deployed for the purpose of flying the team to The Gambia, but that also lost an engine on take –off and the pilot had to make a quick return.

However, ARIK provided another aircraft that flew the delegation to The Gambia through Dakar.
Before departing the shores of the country on Sunday morning, NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko, charged the players and their officials to do the nationl proud at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, where Africa’s flagbearers to the men’s football tournament of next year’s Olympics will emerge.

Pledging that the NFF would ensure a comfortable stay for the team in The Gambia and the championship in Senegal, Dikko charged the team to put Nigeria first and ensure qualification for the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ext year summer.

“Some of the challenges you guys are facing now is as a result of some changes in the financial regulations in the country, but in a little time, we will be able to resolve all that and your welfare and comfort will be priority.”

Although he regretted that many of the players from the NPFL would not be taking part in the last games of the season, Dikko urged them to consider it as part of the sacrifice they haves to make for the nation. “In times like this, all of us must make sacrifices, I know most of you here would love to play for your clubs, but the reality is that it will not be possible as this is national duty you guys are involved in and as such we must put the nation first.”

Responding, Coach Samson Siasia thanked the NFF for sending a top member of the executive to se‎e the team off, assuring that they would not be deterred by any difficulty they are going through right now, and that the team is poised to pick an Olympic ticket for the country.

Meanwhile, Coach Siasia has wielded th‎e big stick by dropping Kingsley Sokari, Nzube Anaezemba and Daniel Etor for what he termed indiscipline.
Siasia said the players were sent packing after they requested to leave the camp to go for their Club’s (Enyimba) last NPFL game of the season against Sunshine Stars in Lagos, even after he (Siasia) had told all the players they could not leave camp.
“I feel bad in taking this decision, but discipline must be maintained for us to achieve success in Senegal. All players in camp were told not to leave camp as the team would be traveling this weekend to The Gambia for pre –Championship training, only for these three players to come and ask to be allowed to go play for their club as they wanted to be part of the victory parade. I had no option but to allow them leave and also in the process, leave them out of the team.”

Siasia then wished them well in their pursuit of club glory, while urging them to wish the national team well.

FIFA U-17 World Cup record goalscorer, Victor Osihmen, who was invited alongside three of his victorious team -mates, joined up with the U-23 team to The Gambia.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/u-23-national-team-escapes-plane-crash-in-accra/

Glad that they excaped it

ARIK!!

.

cayorday89:
Thanks to God for averting such calamity.... Goodnews is our portion now and always

That one na Narrow escape ... we thank God

Thanks to God for averting such calamity.... Goodnews is our portion now and always

God will continue to protect them IJN!!!

Thank GOD for that

Na wa o...na so our next generation of Super Eagles for take quench, just off like that.

Thank God for sparing their lives.

Thank God they survived. The aviation sector in Nigeria is trash, the best and assured way to get to ur destination in any part of Nigeria is by trekking... if u enter bus the roads are death trap... If u enter boat d boat fit sink and if u trek too much dem fit kidnap you...

Thank God

hmmm... ARIK again?

Thank God for them oooo

dear God, i knw that was u!
Thank u Jesus 4 saving them!
Baba nara ekele

Thank God!

Moses be praised....

God is Good

The aviation industry needs to be looked into, laws need to be reviewed, pple need to be sacked, Nowadays, the rate at which top officials toil with human lives is alarming!

Jesus I thank you for the lives you have save today, your name be praised

Thank God!

And they are safe!!

Must every happening have "endtime" written all over it??

Na wa o!!

Anyway, I'm super glad they're ok. Osimhen, Usman Mohammed, Zaharadeen Bello, and other fine players were on that flight. I don't wanna lose these bright stars of the future.

Thank God Siasia, his crew, and the players didn't have it "bad" in the air.

Reminds me of the loss the Zambians experienced in 1993 in Gabon. HOPEFULLY, THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN TO ANY NATIONAL TEAM OUT THERE.

Go Dream Team Eagles!!!!! Go get that Olympic ticket in Senegal!!!!!! (After your final camping in Gambia of course).

*smiles*

But note: Let's not "overblow" things. It was an emergency landing and not a plane crash ok. The bumpy landing was kinda precautionary to prevent "fatality" in the air.

lasisi69:
End time

Thank God they are safe. wish them the best in gambia.
As for those who chose to party after the club game. Gudluck to them too.