LAGOS - The Nigerian football team failed to depart for Peru for a friendly after a passenger on the Madrid-bound flight was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of drugs, an official has confirmed.
Nigeria team spokesman Ben Alaiya said the Iberia flight was cancelled after the Nigerian drug enforcement agency arrested a passenger, while another suspected passenger escaped.
"The airline announced that they could no longer fly, according to international regulations and as such the national team could not leave for Peru on Saturday night," Alaiya said.
The team was expected to fly out yesterday. Wednesday's friendly in Lima against hosts Peru is part of the country's build-up for next month's 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Super Eagles host Namibia in a World Cup qualifier on June 3 in Calabar, before they travel to Malawi the following week. They will welcome Rwanda to a second leg qualifier for the 2013 Afcon on June 17 in Calabar.
Super Eagles' flight grounded
LAGOS - The Nigerian football team failed to depart for Peru for a friendly after a passenger on the Madrid-bound flight was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of drugs, an official has confirmed.
Nigeria team spokesman Ben Alaiya said the Iberia flight was cancelled after the Nigerian drug enforcement agency arrested a passenger, while another suspected passenger escaped.
"The airline announced that they could no longer fly, according to international regulations and as such the national team could not leave for Peru on Saturday night," Alaiya said.
The team was expected to fly out yesterday. Wednesday's friendly in Lima against hosts Peru is part of the country's build-up for next month's 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Super Eagles host Namibia in a World Cup qualifier on June 3 in Calabar, before they travel to Malawi the following week. They will welcome Rwanda to a second leg qualifier for the 2013 Afcon on June 17 in Calabar.
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