Super Eagles of Nigeria boss, Eric Chelle has confirmed that Russian based star, Olakunle Olusegun, did not make it to the team to face Lesotho in South Africa on Friday.
Chelle explained that the player was blocked from traveling to South Africa by Turkish authorities hence he returned to Nigeria instead to wait for the team’s arrival for the game against Benin Republic.
The Malian gaffer, during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, also revealed that New England Revolution midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf, is currently with the team in South Africa.
The Super Eagles will play Lesotho in the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday before facing Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday to wrap up the qualifying series.
Chelle started training for the Super Eagles at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday.
The head coach disclosed that Yusuf arrived alongside Akor Adams of Sevilla and Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto, bringing the total number of players in camp to 21.
“Three players came yesterday, Akor, Yusuf and Zaidu. Now we are 21,” the Milian told reporters.
“We have a player who was blocked in Turkey. He went straight to Nigeria to wait for us in Nigeria for the second game.”
Nigeria must beat Lesotho in South Africa on Friday and Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday to stand any chance of playing the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria will also be hoping that Bafana Bafana drop point against Zimbabwe.