Super Eagles of Nigeria players yet to get visa approval

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 TRENDZ MEDIA Tuesday 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 TRENDZ MEDIA, “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 TRENDZ MEDIA 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.