‘Why We Agreed To Travel By Boat To Benin’ – Super Eagles Stars

Some Super Eagles stars have revealed why they’ve accepted to travel by sea to Benin for their matchday five encounter in the AFCON qualifiers.

The decision of the players come after the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick had earlier stated 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 NFF president made this suggestion since the team might spend more time other than the normal standard time 1hr 40 minutes due to the traffic situation in Lagos if they were to travel by road.  

Giving their reasons in a recent interview with the PUNCH, Rangers duo, Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo indicated that the mode of transportation was not an issue and the most important thing is a win.  

“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 traveled by sea before,” Aribo said.  

On his part, Balogun said:  

“I guess we have to be okay with it, I will say it’s 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.”  

Henry Onyekuru who also spoke with The PUNCH said:  

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.”