President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has disclosed that the performance of the Super Eagles won’t be affected if the team travels by boat to face the Squirrels of Benin in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Pinnick made this statement during an interview with Arise TV’s Morning Show News, where he admitted that there is no big deal if they travel by road. Nigeria is expected to face Benin a make or mar AFCON qualifier at Porto-Novo on March 22.
Recall that last month (February), Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr had stated that the team may cross the border by boat so as to avoid the bad roads linking both countries.
His statement has been corroborated by the former Delta State Sports administrator, who also said that there is nothing wrong with exploring other forms of adventure in Nigeria.
“Going to Cotonou by boat, I do that all the time. When we were going to inspect we did it. There is nothing wrong with exploring other forms of adventure in Nigeria,” Pinnick told ARISE News.
“What’s the big deal, look at the Lagos state boat terminal, it’s one of the best in the world I have seen, so why don’t we use all those things if we have them.
“So it’s just a projection and it does not mean we have agreed on it. We might either go by road if our security report, we have the intelligence, we are also working with the Lagos state government to explore to see what is best suited for that.
“And once we say we are going by the creeks to Cotonou, of course, we will provide every requisite, we will provide the enabling environment for them to go in terms of security.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
2021 AFCON Qualifier: It’s Not A Crime If Super Eagles Travel By Boat To Face Benin – Pinnick
2021 AFCON Qualifier: It's Not A Crime If Super Eagles Travel By Boat To Face Benin - Pinnick
Austin Akhilomen
Augustine Akhilomen is a passionate sports content writer. A fan of the Super Eagles and Chelsea. My aim is to promote the game of sports globally.
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9 Comments
Hmmmm is too risky oooo now kidnapping everywhere. so una know say 9ja roads is not good abi, chai ndi mmadu self.
You people want to risk the safety of our players!!!!. I don’t want to hear stories after now ooooo. You better look for an alternative means of getting the players to Benin safely.
The players should just fly directly to Benin, then Pinnick and other NFF authorities can meet them there using boat.
Why risking the lives of our boys. And please educate me, is there no flight between Nigeria and Benin?
U dey mind that man?!
Flights are available daily. Maximum duration 15 mins from takeoff.
I wonder what the man has been smoking nowadays.
@ Ola I tire o. See all the stress NFF has chosen to put themselves through, when there are easier, faster and safer options. Simple thing….you and your NFF officials can go by canoe to Benin republic in advance while you simply direct the players to fly straight from Europe to Benin Republic….abi flights nor dey from Europe to Benin republic…???? At least the Beniniose also have their players in Europe who will be flying home for the game. This idea of traveling by boat doesn’t really sound palatable. This is not the 30s or 40s.
Nigeria is currently described as a “Red Zone” and travelers from Red Zones will have to undergo 10 days quarantine when they return to England. Most EPL clubs are not ready to release their players to travel to Nigeria. Ekong, Iheanacho, Iwobi and Ndidi are 4 of the most important players we need. Benin republic is not a Red Zone. Why not just tell these guys to fly to Benin, get the required points we need to qualify in Benin, fly back to England after that match and we come back home to use the Lesotho match to perform all the experiments we want to perform with the remaining fringe players. Recall FIFA has declared clubs are not obliged to release their players during this Covid period. Osimhen is out, Balogun is doubtful, the captain is Out. Do we have the luxury of also risking the availability of those 4 as a result of our planlessness…??? Even with a full squad, we’ve never had it seamless playing Benin home or away. Lets not put ourselves at further disadvantage going into this game with lack of organization.
This travelling by water just weak me. This is what you get when a sport federation is riddled with dishonesty and corruption.
I had to check the date to make sure it’s not April 1st. This would make a great April fool joke. What is all this?
The obvious solution is to have the players fly into Benin directly from their base. What is the meaning of this canoe business?
NFF are at it again….needlessly complicating issues. The match in Benin is already going to be tough. NFF are going to make it even tougher for our lads with administrative ineptitude. We had months to plan and prepare for this trip to Benin, and the best idea the NFF can come up with is by boat?
Hehehehehe! Lord have mercy!
I am high of the igbo wey peakmilk dey smoke. Infact that igbo na ekuale igbo.
This was how togo players where attacked on a bus to Angola 2010.
In a country where crimes have reached the unthinkable level, where adamawa United team was recently rubbed and brutalized na him peakmilk dey suggest canoe for supereagles, why them nor use chariots of heaven lol. A country where soldiers suspected a group of police men to be kidnappers and killed all innocent police officers, just imagine if custom officers mistake the boat for smugglers and starts to shot na so he take dey happen for there, abeg let our players travel direct to Benin make Nff officials and pilkmilk go use canoe along with their home base players, peakmilk na warri man them sabi sweam well well oh if he set the guy go sweam connect sapelewater. Warri nor dey carry last.