Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh
Nigeria
coach Sunday Oliseh has admitted that the refusal of the Embassy of
Belgium in Nigeria to issue visas to home-based Super Eagles players has
disrupted the purpose for which the international friendlies were
arranged. The Super Eagles coach, who spoke exclusively with The PT
night from Belgium, said that the coaching crew would have no option
but to use only those already in camp if the remaining eight players
were not able to arrive in Belgium by Wednesday.
Eagles are billed to face the Democratic
Republic of Congo on Thursday and then play against eternal rivals
Cameroon on Sunday in Dendermonde.
On Tuesday, Oliseh told NEWS Agents,
“It’s quite painful the way things are turning out. If it stays this
way, we’ll have to adjust because we don’t have any choice. Remember too
that Victor (Moses) is also not here.
“They’re friendly matches and not World
Cup finals but we are very pained by the situation because we really
want to have a team ready for the November game. This camp was meant to
be like the real preparation.”
Six players from the Nigerian league are
still stranded in Abuja as the Embassy of Belgiun has yet to issue them
visas. The players affected are goalkeepers Femi Thomas and Ikechukwu
Ezenwa, defenders Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo, midfielder Paul Onobi
and forward Prince Aggrey.
In Turkey, Godfrey Oboabona, remains stranded also as the Belgians have yet to approve his travel document.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s Assistant Director of Information, Mr. Ademola Olajire, who spoke with NEWS Agent
on Tuesday, explained that the federation had used diplomatic channels
to get the Embassy to work faster without any result yet.
“We submitted our passports since
September 21 but they only asked for extra document last week.
Everything has been sent but they say they are still awaiting approval
from home office,” he said.
The Eagles medical crew is also affected by the visa delay.
The Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, also lamented the delay.
Anyasi said, “We are shocked beyond
words at the attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria. This action
is a strange one in international sports. Football preaches and spreads
peace and love, but we are taken aback at the attitude of the Embassy.
“Our team’s preparedness for the only
preparatory games ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been unduly
hampered. This action is not just against a football federation; it is
against an entire nation.”
Also on Tuesday, the NFF confirmed that
sales of tickets for the first match had started. Tickets for the game
between Nigeria and DR Congo became available from Tuesday at the Vise
Stadium for between €15 and €25.
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