SPORT:US embassy stops three Sand Eagles players

Three Super Sand Eagles players have been denied
transit visas to the US ahead of the 2017 FIFA Beach
Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas .
Nigeria are in Group B alongside Mexico, Italy and
Iran in the tournament holding from April 27 to May
7. The Sand Eagles were scheduled to leave the
country on Thursday for the US where they will
connect a flight to the Bahamas .

Our correspondent learnt that the embassy gave
visas to only five out of the 12 players last week ,
but on Wednesday, four more players were granted
visas while the rest were denied .
Abu Azeez, Godwin Tale , Emmanuel Owhoferia and
Emeka Ogbonna were granted visas on Wednesday ,
while Godwin Ayalogu , Ogbonnaya Okemmiri and
Taiwo Adams were denied visas for the second time.

It was learnt that the team nurse , Ruth Ewelu , was
also denied a visa .

The coach of the team, Audu Adamu, who spoke with
our correspondent on the telephone, said , “ The
embassy has been cooperative so far and we have
visas for nine of our players . Three have been
denied again but the NFF said they would ensure
that the players get their visas .”

Spokesman for the NFF , Ademola Olajire , confirmed
the development but added that the players would
join the team on Tuesday.

“ Three players were denied visas to the US but the
federation is working on it and they will join the
team in the US on Tuesday, ” he said .

“ The others and the officials who have their visas
will leave the country on Thursday night for the
US .”