How Labour Congress strike is affecting Super Eagles preparation for WCQ clashes against South Africa and Benin
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Super Eagles head coach Finidi George (L) and Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero (R) || Image credit: Imago/X

How Labour Congress strike is affecting Super Eagles preparation for WCQ clashes against South Africa and Benin

Faruq Ibrahim 17:32 - 03.06.2024

The Nationwide strike had impacted Finidi George's preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifier clashes.

The Nigerian Labour Congress shut down the country’s public sector due to nationwide strike action, and it has impacted the Super Eagles' preparation for their World Cup qualifier fixtures. 

The Nigerian national team will play South Africa and the Benin Republic on the 7th and 10th of June, respectively, in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and the current nationwide strike is hindering their preparation.

What happened 

The full Super Eagles squad for the matches against Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs were expected in camp today, as a training session was scheduled; however, a significant number of key players were absent. 

According to Brilla.net, only 15 of the 23 invited players are currently in the Super Eagles camp, with key players like Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey all absent due to the ongoing industrial action.

Domestic flights all over the country were grounded by the unions, which disrupted the plans of the Super Eagles players, who, despite being in the country, could not fly back to base. 

Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero || Image credit: X
Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero || Image credit: X

According to Leadership.ng, the aviation unions—the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE)—in the country unanimously agreed with the directive of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite strike. 

Therefore, all domestic flights in the country were grounded as local airports were shut down in the early hours of Monday. The international flights will face a similar fate tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4th.

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