FKF PRESS RELEASE
Football Kenya Federation wishes to bring to
your attention on the following chronology of
events regarding Harambee stars trip to Nigeria
for the FIFA 2014 Brazil World Cup Qualifier.
On 27th February 2013 Football Kenya
Federation wrote a letter to the Nigerian High
Commission in Nairobi seeking entry visas for
the Kenyan Delegation to Nigeria the same was
copied to the Nigerian Football Federation.
On 27th February 2013 FKF wrote to the Nigeria
Football Federation requesting information on
the date, venue; kick off time, and other match
modalities, the same was copied to FIFA/CAF.
The Nigeria Football Federation never
responded to the letter but FIFA through an
email on 4th March 2013 responded detailing
the above requests.
On 12th March 2013 –The Nigeria Football
Federation through a Mr Bolao Akins a
coordinator for the trip from the Nigeria
Football Federation made contact with our High
Commission in Nigeria through it 1st Counselor
Mr Anthony Masinde and requested the FKF to
send to the Nigeria Football Federation the
names of all members of the Kenyan delegation
in order for Nigeria Football Federation secure
air tickets for the Lagos /Calabar flight.
He also confirmed that the Kenyan team will be
flown directly from Lagos to Calabar upon
arrival and the team/delegation was booked at
the Channel View hotel in Calabar.
The Nigeria Football Federation also requested
our association to send them a commitment
letter, our request to bring a contingent of 35
persons on reciprocal basis on the
understanding that we shall also host a similar
Number during the return leg match. Mr. Bolao
also provided us with his cell phone number/
email address and was in constant contact with
our Federation regarding the hosting
arrangements.
On 17th March without any communication from
Nigeria Football Federation we submitted the
final list to the General Secretary of NFF
comprising of 35 persons and indicating the
flight, time of departure and estimated arrival
time in Lagos, also copied to our High
Commissioner.
On the same day The Nigeria Football
Federation acknowledged receipt of our email
detailing our delegation and arrival time
advised us to obtain entry visas in Nairobi
instead of upon arrival.
On Tuesday 19th The Kenya High Commission in
Lagos communicated to FKF that the NFF
officials will be at the Murtala Muhammed
Airport in Lagos to receive the delegation upon
arrival for a smooth transfer to the Lagos/
Calabar flight.
The same was confirmed to FKF and the Kenya
High Commissioner by the Nigeria Football
Federation President.
Harambee Stars departed from Nairobi on
Wednesday 20th March, 2013 aboard KQ
arriving at Lagos- but to our utter surprise the
Nigeria Football Federation had not made any
hosting arrangements as earlier agreed.
There was no flight to Calabar and the team
was then booked in a sub standard hotel, with
no training, ground availed, no official guide
thus in violation of all agreements as well as
the FIFA hosting right obligations.
Football Kenya Federation immediately filed a
strong protest to FIFA and Nigeria Football
Federation over the whole issue forcing FIFA to
intervene. Therefore the various media reports
over poor planning by FKF as raised are
inaccurate, false, malicious and in bad taste.
We wish to reiterate that Kenya has won
accolades from various visiting teams for its
exemplary hosting arrangement and are
amazed at this wild allegations against the
Federation.
Signed:- Date: 21 March 2013
Michael Esakwa
Secretary General – FKF
Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you.” ― Rashi