Emmanuel Clement.
Following the ongoing Nationwide Strike which started on Monday,by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),eight Super Eagles players are yet to arrive in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic
According to the Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, the eight players are Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu.
Efoghe said the players are already in Nigeria but unable to join their colleagues in camp due to the strike which has stalled domestic flights, noting that 15 Super Eagles players had a session on Monday morning at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio stadium.
The players who took part in the session are Ndidi Wilfred, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Terem Moffi, Stanley Nwabali, Ismaila Sodiq, Kenneth Igboke, Ojo Olorunleke, Benjamin Tanimu, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Victor Boniface, Raphael Onyedika, Chidozie Awaziem and Alhassan Yusuf.
The Media officer went further to state that the training which lasted two hours including fitness and shooting drills, plus tactical sessions was led by head coach Finidi George, adding that there would be no training on Monday evening as the players would be allowed to rest and undergo a recovery session.
The Eagles will host South Africa on matchday 3 of the qualifiers on Friday 7, June and will hope to record their first win in Group C,also on 10 June, the team will travel to Cote d’Ivoire to take on bottom team Benin Republic on matchday 4.
Victor Boniface, striker for the Super Eagles, as usual, engaged in the festivities in grand fashion, flying the Nigerian flag in honour of his native country while rehearsing his signature dance move with his colleagues. With two championship matches remaining this season (the DFB Pokal and the Europa League), Leverkusen have gone undefeated in 51 matches in all competitions.