Nigeria ‘ll not protest assault on Dolphins - Obaseki

Ganiyu Salman, Kumasi, Ghana - 14.05.2008

Chief Onyiuki Obaseki, the head of Nigeria’s delegation to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup second-leg match between Dolphins FC and Asante Kotoko FC in Kumasi, Ghana, has disclosed that Nigeria would not protest the assault meted out on Dolphins cameraman, Idah Confidence, by Ghanaian fans last Monday to CAF.

Chief Obaseki told Tribunesports on Tuesday at the Hotel Joyflux, Kumasi that Nigeria would not protest the assault despite losing the match to the Ghanaian team.

According to Obaseki, we have notified the match commissioner and Asante Kotoko will have to replace the damaged camera.”

He continued, “I raised the issue during the pre-match meeting that we will record the match and they accepted. I don’t know where he was when he (Idah) was attacked. We will only let the match commissioner know officially and include it in his report to CAF.

“Nothing can change the result, the boys went to the pitch in the second half with bed and mattresses to sleep. I never in my wildest dream thought we could lose by such wide margin. It was disappointing. It will serve as a lesson to us all that we must always plan well,” Obaseki stressed.

He added, “Dolphins had all the necessary support from the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

Lawrence Akpokona, is an experienced coach I ensured that they played the game in their best frame of mind and I even promised them incentives”.