By Jacob Ajom
African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria returned to a tumultuous welcome Monday afternoon, only to be conveyed in a rickety old truck that could best be used in conveying cows. The journey from the international airport to the local wing was done on the dirty truck.

A crowd made up of mostly journalists, friends of the players and football enthusiasts and the ever present members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club had formed at the arrival hall as early as 11.30 am, waiting for the champions to arrive. After a long wait, information came that they would be emerging through the departure hall as they were to take a connection flight to Abuja soon after their arrival. The waiting game continued until 2.00 pm when the Arik Air flight, conveying the players and officials touched down. It took another one and a half hours before the check out formalities were concluded.

Before their arrival, a truck had been parked at the entrance of the departure hall. Once the airport formalities were over, the players were herded into the waiting truck.

They were joined by NFF Executive committee member and head of the technical committee, Barrister Chris Green, acting NFF media officer, Robinson Okosun and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters club. Journalist who attempted going into the truck had it tough as security personnel, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gideon Akinsola formed a wall around them.

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A Brila fm reporter, Tony Bekederemo was forced to jump down from the truck. There was no arrangement for a formal press chat with the players or officials.

The truck became a spectacle of sorts as thousands of Nigerians who stared in bewilderment started asking why African champions should be transported in such a truck.

Confronted on the truck issue, Barrister Green who accompanied the girls from the international airport to the local wing simply said, “I was not part of the arrangements. I think we made do with what we saw.”

It was indeed a bad way of how not to treat champions. “Could the NFF had done the same thing if the Super Eagles achieved the same feat?” an onlooker asked.