Kunle Alade
This is indeed good news for Nigeria football enthusiasts.
After days of agonising experience, stranded players and officials of Sunshine Stars of Akure are set to depart Bamako, capital city of Mali.
Following resumption of commercial flights from the crisis ridden country, the 10-man delegation of Sunshine Stars of six players, two officials and two journalists arrived the International Aeroport, Bamako around 10 am Nigerian time today.
They were scheduled to board Air Mali flight around 12 noon to Cotonou, Republic of Benin where they will travel by road to Lagos.
Speaking on the telephone with The Eagle Online, the Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency, Chief Segun Adagunodo, confirmed that the team’s scheduled departure.
“We are at the airport now and in the next one hour we should be leaving for Cotonuo where we will then move to Lagos,” he said.
Adagunodo, who doubles as the Chairman of Nigeria’s sole survivor in the CAF Champions League, thanked Nigerians for their concern, prayer and support during their ordeal in Bamako.
It is recalled that Sunshine Stars were forced to 1-1 draw by Djoliba of Mali in the first leg third round match of the on going CAF Champions league last weekend in Bamako.
However, owing to renewed fighting between government forces and rebels, 10 members of Sunshine team were unable to return to Nigeria as scheduled due to suspension of commercial flights.