Niamey, Niger - Members of Niger's home-based national football team returned home to a triumphant welcome Monday night, despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the ongoing second African Nations Championship in Sudan. Members of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), representatives of the government and a huge crowd of fans were at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey to receive the team, which was ferried home aboard a C-130 Hercules Plane of the Niger Air Force.

After airport reception, the players and their officials were ferried to the Palais des Sports, where a large crowd of fans gave them another warm reception.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Brig. Mai Manga Oumara, used the opportunity to congratulate the players on their brilliant performance in the competition.

Niger, making its debut at the tournament that was created exclusively for players in the continent's domestic leagues, lost to host Sudan 3-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Pana 23/02/2011