The Super Eagles are confirmed to ride by boat to Benin Republic for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier clash on Saturday at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick had earlier made this known, explaining that it would be easier for the team to travel by sea for the encounter rather than spend a lot of time in traffic if they were to ply the route by road.
The distance from Lagos to Porto Novo on road is about 105km, which is a 1hr 40 minutes standard driving time but with the traffic situation within Lagos State, the time it will take the team to reach their destination might be longer, hence the suggestion of an alternative means of transportation.
However, this has received mixed reactions from the Super Eagles stars as their only focus is to get a comfortable result against Nigeria’s neighbors.
Rangers duo, Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo, in their reactions, say the mode of transportation was not an issue because a win was uppermost on their minds.
“Traveling by sea, it is what it is, we can’t use that as an excuse. We know what we have to do mentally and that is to win the match. I have never travelled by sea before,”Aribo said
“I guess we have to be okay with it, I will say its a bit unusual but that’s just how it is. If they change it, it’ll be good if they don’t, we’ll be fine but the most important thing is that we get there in one piece, and win the game,” Balogun added.
“It will be my first time travelling by sea but I don’t really mind. All that matters to me and my teammates is to wear the jersey, represent our country and win the game,” in-form Galatasaray forward Henry Onyekuru said.
Defender William Troost-Ekong said, “As long as it is safe and we get there as quickly as possible, then It is fine.”
The Benin Republic clash is a reserve fixture for the three-time African champions ahead the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon.
The Gernot Rohr’s men defeated the Squirrels 2-1 in the first leg staged at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu.
Super Eagles are expected to go for a win in Benin, having played a goalless draw against Sierra Leone the last time out.
Three days after the Benin clash, the Eagles will confront the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in what will be their first encounter in Nigeria’s commercial and economic capital in 10 years.
