The Nationwide strike currently going on in the country may affect the Super Eagles preparations for their World Cup qualifier scheduled for later this month
According to reports, eight of the players, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka, forward Paul Onuachu, Maduka Okoye, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman were left stranded in Lagos and Abuja respectively due to the ongoing nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, which grounded flight operations.
Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel and Bassey couldn’t board connecting flights from Lagos to Uyo while Onyeka and Onuachu were held up in Abuja.
“The quintet of defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu are already in the country and trying to make their way to Uyo to join the 15 other players already on ground, ahead of the game against against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana
“A total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo, with head coach Finidi George telling the players that the match is a must win for them
However, new Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed that Okoye, Lookman and Iwobi had arrived the country but were also unable to book connecting flights to Uyo following Monday’s NLC strike.
“Eight more players including Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu are yet to join the squad. They are in the country but unable to arrive camp because of the ongoing Nigeria Labour Congress strike, which has stalled domestic flights,” Efoghe stated.
The Super Eagles camp opened in Uyo last Friday with few of the players trickling in for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.
Nigeria will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7 before travelling to Ivory Coast to face Benin Republic on Monday, June 10.
Nationwide Strike: Eight Super Eagles’ Players Stranded In Abuja, Lagos
