It was a goal scoring frenzy in the match between Nigeria and Japan as Nigeria went on to win 5-4 in a very close match between the two nations in the 2016 Rio Olympics of men’s soccer.
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WGCL in Atlanta reports that they will depart on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time), putting them in Brazil with little time to spare before their opener against Japan on Thursday (Friday NZT) in Manaus.
The spokesman said the team was scheduled to arrive in Manaus in time to play the match, but faced the uncomfortable situation of making its debut nearly immediately after a lengthy flight.
The Super Eagles, as the team is known, were stranded in Atlanta for days amid a weird saga that saw flights cancelled because of missed payments and because a plane was too small, before eventually taking off on the morning of the game.
Nigeria are due to face Japan on Friday (at 1am GMT) in Manaus but a “logistical mix-up” is posing a threat to their plans.
Be Civil – It’s OK to have a difference in opinion but there’s no need to be a jerk.
In 2012 London Olympics, Team Nigeria athletes were colourful during the opening ceremony as they wore different types of native attire in Green, White, Green colours of Nigeria. The same plane will fly the USA men’s basketball team home from Brazil.
“Coming back to Atlanta 20 years after winning the gold medal will instill confidence in our team”, said Siasia in a statement promoting his team’s preparations at Silverbacks Stadium.
Well, they indeed got on that new flight, and arrived in Brazil with under seven hours until their opening match against Japan.
Delta charters Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, NCAA, NBA and NFL teams, often with specially-equipped planes and high-end service. Who knows what would’ve happened had he not been there to help them through it all.
Shinzo Koroki converted the penalty before Oghenekaro Etebo got Nigeria back in the lead.
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