DUE to the industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress, five Super Eagles players were stranded in Abuja and Lagos yesterday on their way to Uyo for the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against South Africa, billed for Friday.
Defenders Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, both based in England, as well as midfielder Frank Onyeka, also based in England, and Turkey-based pair Paul Onuachu and Bright Osayi-Samuel arrived in Nigeria earlier in the day and were trying to make their way to Uyo to join the 15 other players already in camp.
The nationwide NLC strike over minimum wage disrupted travel by both land and air, and the five players were not able to proceed to Uyo to join their colleagues.
With the NLC and Trade Union Congress reaching a truce with the federal government late last night (Monday), the strike is expected to be suspended and the players able to reach Uyo.
Meanwhile, 15 players trained yesterday morning in Uyo, with head coach Finidi George telling them afterwards that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must be Nigeria’s.
Along with the stranded quintet (three in Abuja and two in Lagos), the trio of midfielder Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Ademola Lookman, Atalanta’s hat-trick hero in the UEFA Europa League final, are expected to arrive in the camp later today.
There was no training session yesterday evening, as the players prepared for intensive sessions today, tomorrow and Thursday, hopefully with all the invited players present.
The South Africa delegation is expected to arrive in Nigeria tomorrow, with the team already booked into Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene.
