Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stated on Tuesday that the Super Eagles players who were stranded in Lagos and Abuja had arrived in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom.
According to reports, several Super Eagles players were unable to join the rest of the team in camp due to the joint NLC/TUC strike.
On Monday, the striking unions shut down the country’s airports, preventing several Super Eagles players from flying from Lagos and Abuja to Uyo.
The NFF also stated that only 15 of the 23 players practiced in Uyo on Monday before returning to their camp at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort.
NFF said in a statement, “A total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo.
“Head Coach Finidi George told the players afterwards that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must end up in Nigeria’s kitty.”
The statement also said that the quintet of defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forward Paul Onuachu were already in the country.
“They are trying to make their way to Uyo to join the 15 other players already on the ground for the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.”
However, Olajire, in a text message to newsmen, said that the stranded players had arrived in Uyo.
“They just landed in Uyo,” he said.
He, however, confirmed that defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Calvin Bassey, along with midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu, had landed at the Victor Attah International Airport.
“They landed in Uyo just after noon, aboard a private jet arranged by the NFF, and were driven to the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort to meet up with their team mates for lunch,” he said.