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NFF allays fear over Boko Haram in Kano as CHAN camp opens

By Alex Monye
25 July 2017   |   4:15 am
The Nigeria football Federation (NFF) has declared that the domestic players currently camped in the ancient city of Kano for the 2018 CHAN qualifiers do not have any course...

The Nigeria football Federation (NFF) has declared that the domestic players currently camped in the ancient city of Kano for the 2018 CHAN qualifiers do not have any course to worry over their safety in the state, saying adequate security measures have been put in place to protect the team.

There were gun duels between security agencies and members of the Boko Haram sect in Kano, which raised concerns over the security of the players in the Kano metropolis.

Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye said the arrest of the Boko Haram members in Kano did not have anything to do with the CHAN team’s preparations for the qualifiers.

He noted that the federation has made adequate arrangements with the Kano State government to protect the players and coaches during their stay in the state.

The media officer also added that full training for the qualifiers against Benin Republic would begin today, saying that yesterday was given to the players to arrive in camp and settle down for the challenges ahead.

Ibitoye disclosed that the Eagles’ coaches were already fine-tuning strategies to beat their opponents.

The CHAN Eagles will begin the first leg campaign of the qualifying fixture against Benin Republic in Cotonou on August 13.

According to the football body, Super Eagles players and coaches will depart for the away match on August 11 and return to Kano to continue camping for the second leg, which will come up on August 19.

The Guardian recalls that Nigeria’s best outing in the CHAN tournament was in 2014 in South Africa when the team won a bronze medal.

Kenya will host the fifth edition of the CHAN championship.

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