When Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo answered the call for Nigeria’s international games this week, they were probably prepared for a challenge.
Despite that, they must have been surprised to be issued with life jackets to wear on the sea, going to and from Benin for their AFCON qualifiers.
That is exactly what happened as they left their Lagos base to travel to play their hosts in Cotonou, via the Benin capital of Porto Novo and they returned back along the water, the same way to prepare for their home tie against Lesotho.
'Life jackets deployed and security escort at sea'
Aribo and Balogun in Nigeria adventure on international dutyhttps://t.co/1dLNdIoVB8 pic.twitter.com/Ugq6XxG5Fl— Vital Rangers (@vitalrangers) April 1, 2021
The Super Eagles won both games, 0-1 and 3-0 respectively.
Balogun started and finished both games, whilst Aribo only played the full game in Benin – he sat out the clash with Lesotho due to stomach complaints.
Ahead of the games, Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr warned that they were in for a ‘crazy time’ .
On the sea travel Balogun stated:
“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.”
Meanwhile, his Ibrox teammate Aribo sounded bemused, stating,
“Travelling 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.”
Both spoke to Punch, on the travel plans.
Success
With two wins out of two, Nigerian football bosses will feel that their actions were vindicated and the players deserve credit for their application.
The home game and camp was based in Lagos on the south west corner of Nigeria which borders Benin.
It is believed that the sea option was taken to avoid the ardous and chaotic Lagos traffic – to ensure a faster, more direct journey over the border.
A Nigerian TV channel posted footage on YouTube of the small vessels, accompanied by a security presence en route in the African seas.
What an adventure.