By Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
Despite repeated calls for the cancellation of a friendly match between Nigeria and DR Congo on May 28 in preparation for the 2018 World Cup, the federal government has insisted that the match would not be called off following the festering outbreak of Ebola virus in the country.
Making this declaration after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, said Nigeria would not be cowed by the outbreak of the deadly disease.
According to him, instead of cancelling the match, machinery would be put in place for a thorough screening of the players before their take-off in DR Congo and upon their arrival in Nigeria.
According to him, the Ministries of Sport and Health are collaborating effectively to ensure that thorough screening of the players and their allies is carried out on or before the kick-off of the match.
Dalung also said Nigeria was not going to Russia for the tournament as a spectator but as a contender with a determination to bring the cup to Nigeria in July.
Details later…
