Kenya Federation Absolves Itself Of Poor Planning

Football Kenya Federation through Secretary General Michael Esakwa has come out to give its version of events in Nigeria after Kenyans expressed shock on the horrific conditions in which the national team Harambee Stars had to camp and train in after arrival in Nigeria just before a crucial World Cup match against the hosts on Saturday.

Below is the press release by FKF made available to michezoafrika.com.

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.