RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Nigerian mens soccer team had its trip to the Rio Olympics delayed by a mix-up at the airport, forcing the club to board a last-minute flight from Atlanta to Brazil just hours before its opening match in the games.The team boarded a Delta Air Lines jet out of Atlanta on Thursday morning for the jungle city of Manaus, where it plays Japan later in the day. The teams spokesman posted a picture on Twitter of the team boarding the plane with the message here we go and said they were scheduled to arrive in the city in time to play the match.Still, the team faced the uncomfortable situation of spending the day of its debut at the Olympics aboard an airplane on a more than six-hour flight and facing a Japan team that has been in Brazil for several days preparing for the contest.There are conflicting reports about how the team ended up in this position.Bunmi Jinadu, founder of United Soccer Africa, disputed reports that the team missed its original flight because of a money issue between the Nigerian government and a charter company. Delta Air Lines cited a communications mix-up that grounded the teams original Friday flight.Jinadu said the problem stemmed from poor planning and coordination on the part of the Nigerian team in leaving Atlanta, where it has been training to prepare for the games. He said the team had assumed it could simply buy plane tickets to Rio at the last minute -- just like Nigerians do in their home country to book travel.They then encountered a crush of travelers and lack of flights at the busy Atlanta airport, where several Brazil-bound trips are originating. The team thought it had a backup plan on Wednesday, but the plane wasnt big enough to accommodate the team, Jinadu said.The flight the team finally boarded was on a chartered Delta jet. A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines said it stepped in to help the team get to its destination, free of charge, after learning of the flight issue.The plane normally is used to transport NBA teams, and the same aircraft will fly the U.S. mens basketball team back to the U.S. after the Olympics.Atlanta was the site of Nigerias greatest soccer triumph as it won the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.This came to our attention on the 20th anniversary of the Nigerian football teams win at the Atlanta games, said Delta spokesperson Betsy Talton. Everyone was happy to help them with another miracle by getting them to Manaus.Jinadu said the mood remained upbeat among the players as they headed to Brazil at the last minute.Nigeria has tough skin, he said. All the players playing on this team know this is their livelihood and they have been overly anxious to get to Rio.Its not the first time an African soccer team had to make a last-minute flight for a high-profile match in Brazil.In 2014, Cameroons World Cup team refused to board a plane to take them to Brazil because of a dispute over bonus payments for the tournament. Their national soccer federation took out a loan to meet their demands, and the team caught a later flight. Authentic Tyrell Crosby Jersey . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Lions Jerseys China .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.cheapdetroitlionsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-tracy-walker-jersey . 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The Dolphins will practice in north San Diego County in preparation for this weeks game against the Los Angeles Rams.The Dolphins (5-4) are also nestled above .500 for the first time in rookie coach Adam Gases short tenure. A four-game winning streak has compensated for a 1-4 start, and, just maybe, surging Miami can make the postseason.Ive never, ever been one to really talk about (that) in my career, Gase said. Ive always been worried about the week we are involved in.I think if you do things right enough times, you get opportunities to keep playing. So that is how I look at it. More times than not, when you talk about it, that is when it doesnt happen.Gase did speak on Branden Albert. The left tackle exited Sundays game after dislocating his left wrist, but returned while wearing a brace.Were still going through a little bit of our medical process to figure out what exactly is going to happen as far as the exact diagnosis, and if we are going to be able to get him back this week, Gase said. We got to go through some stuff still. It is swollen right now, so we just have to see how the week progresses.Albert didnt seem compromised playing with the injury. But Gase said Albert is seeing a hand specialist and his status isnt clear.We have to go through all those little steps just to make sure that we handle everything the right way, Gase said. So if he can go, its for the entire . the rest of the season.Miami is in the playoff conversation thaanks to the improved play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, running back Jay Ajayis emergence, and a secondary that forced four turnovers Sunday.ddddddddddddGase sensed his team had turned a corner about a month ago. In the run-up to beating the Steelers 30-15 on Oct. 16, Gase saw his squad in a new light.That Pittsburgh week I felt something different, Gase said. I felt like the defense was really playing well, but we were struggling obviously, but that week felt different. There was some confidence there, especially at the end of the week, that we were going to play well.That was the push-off point for a four-game run that has the Dolphins two games shy of the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (7-2).(Gase) just stayed consistent with the message to do it right and focus on the details, linebacker Jelani Jenkins said. I think its really, really been a trust in the system. Focus on the details and try to treat every week as a new week.Added Gase: Ive seen a lot of veteran players take control of our team. Ive seen some guys that maybe we did not think were going to be huge contributors taking leadership-type roles and all of a sudden they are vaulted into a position where they are making plays. Its been great to see guys step forward and make plays and lead.Will it all lead to the playoffs?I think that is way too far ahead to think about right now, safety Isa Abdul-Quddus said. Were still in middle of season ... we need to focus on the Rams and to get that win.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '