- The ongoing NLC strike has stranded five Super Eagles players in Lagos and Abuja, disrupting their World Cup preparations
- South Africa’s delegation, including Bafana Bafana, is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday for Friday’s match
A nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has disrupted the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Reports from the Super Eagles camp in Uyo indicate that 15 players participated in yesterday morning’s training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium practice pitch. However, five of the remaining eight players, who are reportedly in the country, could not reach Uyo due to the ongoing NLC strike, which has halted domestic flights.
The five stranded players in Lagos and Abuja are Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, and Paul Onuachu. Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Maduka Okoye are expected to arrive in Nigeria today.
With no training session yesterday evening, the players are set for intensive sessions today, Wednesday, and Thursday, hopefully with a full squad.
In other developments, the South African Football Association (SAFA) informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of their Friday match travel plans. SAFA’s delegation, including Bafana Bafana, is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday and will be accommodated at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene.
Similarly, Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, will fly to Monrovia, Liberia, on Thursday for Sunday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying fixture against their Liberian counterparts. Coach Bankole Olowookere expressed confidence in the team’s readiness following their victories against Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, the same venue where the Super Eagles secured their qualification for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.