NFA Pens Detailed Security Plan to Fifa for Nigeria-Malawi Tie.

As against the backdrop of the Football Association of Malawi’s request for a change of venue for the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Flames, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has sent a detailed security plan for the September 7 encounter to Fifa.

Nigeria Football Association.
Nigeria Football Association.

NFA’s Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, clarifying the details of the plan, designed in conjunction with the office of the Inspector-General of Police, as related to security guarantee during the match.

“In the letter signed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Philemon Leha on behalf of the IGP, the police assured all stakeholders and lovers of football of adequate security,” the statement said.

“The 12,000 capacity (UJ Esuene) stadium has hosted several international matches involving Nigeria in the past, including previous 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya.

“It also hosted 2014 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Liberia.

“But the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), inexplicably, scurried to Fifa to express unfounded fears,” the statement added.

The statement also explicates the security plans adding that match officials from point of arrival to departure, all hotels and training grounds reserved for the match will be adequately secured, coupled with a routine police lead escorts and back-up vehicles for both team.

“Anti bomb squad would be deployed to sweep and maintain all hotels and training pitches.

“Adequate security would be provided on match day in the entire vicinity of the stadium and hotels of the teams and match officials.

“There would be police escorts for teams and match officials to and from the stadium on match day, among other measures,” the statement added.

Gideon Akinsola, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Fifa National security Officer in Nigeria, will be on duty at the match venue, according to the statement.

The world Cup qualifying match, scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar, is the last Group F Fixture of the qualifying series for both teams.