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Ocean Boys, Bayelsa for Abuja?

Ocean Boys, Bayelsa for Abuja?

Posted: 2009-03-04 11:57

Ocean Boys and Bayelsa United may be forced to play their continental matches in Abuja unless the state government provides rock-solid security guarantees.

Both teams are based out of Bayelsa State, in Nigeria's Niger Delta, where kidnappings are rife and last month a breakout of cult-related violence left at least 13 people dead.

However, they play their League matches in nearby Delta State, also part of the Niger Delta.

Ocean Boys play at Ughelli while Bayelsa United play at Oghara.

The Nigeria Football Association on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Bayelsa State government after a meeting with all four of Nigeria's representatives in Africa, asking for security guarantees.

"We have written to the Bayelsa State government asking for a written guarantee of security for visiting teams and officials, otherwise, they will have to come to Abuja to play their games," a top NFF official informed KickOffNigeria.com.

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Frank: 2009-03-04 12:37

Abeg, no time for excuses.They should play in Abuja as the state govt obviously can't provide any 'rock solid' security. It happened in Lahore, Pakistan yesterday and can also happen here and we know it has happened before. I implore the militants and kidnappers to target our immensely corrupt politicians and their families and leave sports men and women alone.

Frank: 2009-03-04 12:41

By the way, all those who claim to be patriotic and shout at the top of their voices when someone else is seemingly unpatriotic will not be found dead reading or commenting on our domestic football. Hypocrites, all!

Billion: 2009-03-04 16:38

Frank, commend yourself for writing may be for the first time on the NPL but don't call anyone who do not want to make any comment a hypocrite. Did you make any comment yesterday when KON posted an article on Rangers??

Security of lives is obviously needed in the NPL matches if they want soccer loving Nigerians to come and watch.

Allen: 2009-03-04 18:09

Abuja stands a better ground for their continental engagement

Frank: 2009-03-05 09:27

My dear billion, if u had made a little effort at being observant perhaps u'd have noticed my 'siddon dey look' approach which I only called off recently. I usually make it a point of duty to read and comment on the NPL and not commenting on the Rangers story is simply becos I had no comment on that story particularly. Well, judge for urself and see how many comments usually come in in an average NPL story when juxtaposed with the foreign.

Sunny: 2009-03-06 10:49

They should play in Abuja, for security reasons. I mean this militancy rubbish should stop. These mad idiots just killed my friend from Kaduna state, a mobile police officer posted to a company in Warri. It pains me so much when i remember the voice of this guy, he was gentle, mild and educated and loved by his family. The militants killed Fred and I hate them. That act was the height of bestiality, sadism. It is very satanic and demonic that these guys go on killing innocent people. If they feel that they have a grouse with government, why don't they go straight out and take the bull by the horn instead. I mean, instead of killing innocent people and using them as hostages to get what they want, why don't they kidnap the government and of the day and manipulate it till they get what they want. As far as my religion and faith is concerned, They will all go to hell. No religion, even voodooism supports spilling of innocent blood. Look at how they killed all the fans of a club going to watch a match. It this thing not satanic? For security purposes, those clubs in the Niger Delta should play in Abuja for their continental ties.