Comical NFF send Super Eagles to Benin on water

AFCON 2022: Comical NFF send Super Eagles to Benin on water ahead of their AFCON 2022 qualifier match

Super Eagles players pose for a picture before leaving for Port Novo, Benin for their AFCON qualifier match. (Image credit: @NGSuperEagles via Twitter)

"There's nobody in Lagos that has not been to Ilashe or been to Tarkwa Bay, so it's the same thing, so what's the big deal?

"Look at the Lagos boat terminal, it's one of the best in the world that I've seen, so why don't we use all those things if we have them? – Amaju Pinnick.

 

There are certain things you read in national dailies or soft selling tabloids that you take with a pinch of salt, like Arsenal bidding for Erling Haaland or Chelsea talking about managerial stability.

But never was it anticipated that anyone in the Nigerian football decision-making arm would come up with boat trip for the Super Eagles.

 

As you’re reading this, you probably would have seen videos of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on water, on their way to Port Novo to negotiate the Squirrels of Benin in their penultimate AFCON qualifiers.

🗣 ‘We are travelling by sea 🌊 to #Benin to enable the boys get a great view of our vast country,” #Nigeria football boss Amaju Pinnick.

🎥 NSSP on WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/5iQaqRxGU4

— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) March 26, 2021

News had broken out earlier in the week of an arrangement by NFF to ferry the lads by boat, we thought it was a joke.

 

Considering how unsafe the terrains are and the fact the game is so important that a loss would jeopardize Nigeria’s chances and leave the team scrambling for their lives in the final game against Lesotho, this development should be investigated.

Some of the players voiced their contempt ahead of the trip but weren't listened to; Joe Aribo according to GOAL said he's indifferent and Maduka Okoye told Reuters "This is weird".

 

Pinnick had rejected the choice of a road trip, citing traffic and security challenges but somehow approved boat trip, neglecting the uncertainties around security and flu which could affect the boys’ performance in Benin.

Do we begin to question these people?

 

The Super Eagles top their group L by a point and a win against Benin Republic would guarantee top spot and head to head record favour the African Giants.

Nigeria beat Benin 2-1 at the end of 2019 after coming back from a goal down through Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu goals.

 

We meeeuuuvveee!#soarsupereagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/10DteI7ayR

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 26, 2021