Russian government has rejected request by
supporters of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to bring in live chickens into
the Kaliningrad Stadium. The Kaliningrad Stadium is the venue of Super Eagles’ World Cup opener against Croatia. The match is slated for Saturday 8pm.
The Supporters believe that live chicken painted in green and white, brings goodluck for their team.
Speaking
about the request by the Nigerian supporters, Russian Minister of
Culture and Tourism, Andrei Ernak, told interfax.ru that there is no way
the supporters from West Africa would be allowed into the stadium with
live chickens.
Ernak said, ”Our information center FM-2018 receives a lot of various questions.
“So,
fans from Nigeria asked whether it is possible to go to the stadium
with a chicken. This is their symbol, citizens are seen with them in all
matches.
“We told them that it’s by no means possible to come with a live chicken.
”But if the Nigerians are rooting for their team in other places, we will of course advise them where the chicken can be bought.
The
Nigerian supporters made the same request 8 years ago in South Africa.
Nigeria fans were turned away from Ellis Park in Johannesburg after
demanding to take chickens, painted green into the stadium where the
team lost 1-0 to Argentina.