By Victor Kanayo
Some Nigeria’s Super Eagles players already in the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with South Africa are currently in Lagos and can’t transit to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital due to the ongoing strike by the Organised Labour.
Heritage Times HT gathered that the stranded players in Lagos who are yet to connect to Uyo as at the time of filling this report are Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu.
Local airports within Nigeria are among the public places which the nationwide strike that commenced on Monday June 3, 2024 affected their operations.
The trio of midfielder Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Ademola Lookman are still expected to arrive Nigeria on Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Monday evening.
The NFF also told Heritage Times HT that a total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo, with Head Coach Finidi George telling the players afterwards that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must end up in Nigeria’s kitty.
The team will resume training on Tuesday in a bid to tarry for other players to join.
Meanwhile, the travel itinerary of the South African delegation has revealed that they are due to arrive Nigeria on Wednesday ahead of the crucial qualifying clash slated for Friday.
The Super Eagles will later on fly out to Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire where they are expected to face Benin Republic handled by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in three days time.
